The International House of Pancakes is giving diners a reason to get in a sticky situation.
Today is National Pancake Day, and IHOP, which has a Gainesville location at 3265 SW 13th St., is treating guests to a free stack of syrup-covered flapjacks from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
IHOP began the celebration in 2006.
While the pancakes are free to all visitors, IHOP requests that customers consider giving a small donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.
For five years, the IHOP in Gainesville has participated in the event to benefit Shands Children’s Hospital.
Scott Stazzone, the general manager of the IHOP on 13th Street, said they gave away 2,011 stacks of free pancakes last year and raised more than $1,200.
Stazzone, who will be cooking the pancakes all day, said the charity is one of the reasons people continue to come back each year.
“This is such a great way for us to give back to our community in hopes of finding cures for sick kids around the world,” he said. “It really makes the whole day worth it.”