In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants nationwide – including the one in South Lake Tahoe — will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than before, with a goal to raise $2.3 million, for a total of more than $7.65 million in six years.

Diners will be asked to leave a little something behind. Tahoe donations will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ programs at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Pancake Day is March 1 from 7am-10pm.

Pancake Day is a tradition that dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products.

This year, IHOP’s National Pancake Day will come one week early, as the popular annual campaign has evolved into a monthlong celebration that takes place during the month of February. It will culminate with the free flapjack giveaway on March 1.