New York, New Jersey, and Southern Connecticut, IHOP locations are partnering with food bank affiliates of America's Second Harvest to raise money in celebration of National PancakeDay. On February 27, which is Shrove Tuesday or National Pancake Day, TriState IHOP's will donate 10% of sales, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $10,000, to food banks throughout the states of New York, New Jersey, and Southern Connecticut.

Local IHOP restaurants are promoting the event with radio commercials and advertising materials inside of the restaurants. "We believe that giving back to the community is an essential part of doing business," stated Peter DeGast, franchise owner of the Union City, NJ IHOP. "Finding ways to contribute to the neighborhoods that support our restaurants is core to our business plan," DeGast added.

In addition, local business owners, officials and dignitaries have been invited to their local IHOP to jump-start the fund raising effort. Scheduled to make an appearance at the Jersey City, NJ IHOP is Robert Menendez, Congressman from the 13th district for the state of New Jersey. Congressman Menendez is scheduled to arrive at the restaurant at 8:30 AM and welcomes the opportunity to meet with his constituents. The restaurant is located at 700 Route 440 in Jersey City.

The annual celebration of the pancake in the U.S. dates back to the 15th century when English settlers brought the feast of Shrove Tuesday to America. Celebrated on the Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday the day has come to be also known as pancake Tuesday. Tradition holds that this day was the last chance to enjoy indulgent foods before the 40 days of deprivation required by Lent. Pancakes were the meal of choice because their flour symbolized the staff of life; their milk, innocence; and their eggs, rebirth. Today pancake Tuesday is celebrated around the world in many different ways, from pancake suppers at community churches to pancake flipping and pancake racing competitions.

About America's Second Harvest
America's Second Harvest is the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization. Through a network of over 200 food banks and food-rescue programs, they distribute food to 26 million hungry Americans each year, eight million of whom are children. With a goal to end hunger in America, last year America's Second Harvest distributed 1.4 billion pounds of food to needy Americans, serving all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For additional information, please call the organization's headquarters at (312) 263-2303 or visit their web site at www.secondharvest.org.

About IHOP
The IHOP family restaurant chain has been serving up a wide variety of mouthwatering selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner for more than 40 years. Offering more than 16 types of pancakes, omelettes and other breakfast specialties, as well as burgers, chicken and steaks, IHOP's diverse menu appeals to people of all ages. Restaurants are developed, operated and franchised by Glendale, Calif.-based IHOP Corp., which is publicly traded on The NYSE Stock Market under the symbol "IHP." As of September 30, 2000, the end of the company's third quarter, there were 946 IHOP restaurants in 40 states, Canada and Japan. For more information, please call the company's headquarters at (818) 240-6055 or visit their website at www.ihop.com.

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