(Image courtesy Getty Images)

There's nothing like free food for a good cause. For the eighth year, IHOP restaurants are offering a free stack of buttermilk pancakes today from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The popular pancake chain hopes to raise $3 million in donations for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. The charities will receive 100 hundred percent of proceeds.

In 2012, IHOP raised more than $3 million for the various charities. The restaurant has raised over $10 million over the past eight pancake holidays.

Pancake day is typically celebrated on "Fat Tuesday" or the last day before Lent. This year it occurs on Tuesday, February 12.

Craving pancakes but can't make it to an IHOP? Here are some tasty recipes to try.

(Image credit: Fred Lee/ABC; Food Styling/Karen Pickus)

Valerie Bertinelli's Pumpkin Pancakes

(ABC/The Chew)

Daphne Oz's Bacon Pancakes with Maple Bourbon Butter Sauce

(Flickr/Getty Images)

Oat and Honey Pancakes With Strawberry Syrup