CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx. — For those who drink it, that morning cup of coffee is essential.
"As teachers, as educators, as scientists we rely heavily on our coffee," Kerrilynn Ackerly said.
Ackerly and her partner Joey Mendoza, a coach and teacher at Carroll High School, decided they wanted to give back to educators in the community, by selling something they both love: coffee.
"We said we wanted to be a part of their lives," Mendoza said. "But how do we that?"
The two came together a company called 25/8 Coffee. The original plan for the company was to sell coffee to anyone who wanted it and 15% of their profits would go to educators to pay for their school supplies rather than those teachers breaking the bank each year.
"A lot of teachers are spending their own money maybe $500 a year," Mendoza said.
Their first two months in service were a massive success, but then March rolled around, and the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown everything.
"The pandemic hit and teachers are not in the classroom anymore."
But that did not stop the company from looking for ways to make an impact in the community and just because schools were closed, did not mean students did not need school supplies.
The company partnered with a local organization called Communities in Schools to provide school supplies, giftcards, etc. for students whose families had been greatly affected by the pandemic.
"It was fantastic," Sight Coordinator for Driscoll Middle School Ryan Basaldu said. "They gave supplies, gift cards all for students."
Selling their coffee is just one part of their company, and they are doing more to help educators while they remain at home.
"We've done on this day in history lessons, we do science experiments," Ackerly said.
Anyone can buy their coffee on their website 258coffee.com.
