BBBS + Kerbey Lane: A Perfect Match

What could be better than kids and pancakes? It truly is a great match, just like our kids and their mentors. So, it’s exciting to share that, for the next few months, pancake sales will help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas create even more mentoring relationships.

From April 1st through June 30th, Austin’s own Kerbey Lane restaurant will donate a portion of proceeds from their monthly pancake specials, including April’s Banana Pudding pancake, to BBBS – the organization’s newest Kerbey Kindness giveback recipient. It is a sweet deal!

You already know that BBBS is focused on creating positive relationships between kids and adult mentors. But another key relationship in the mentoring process is the one between BBBS and other local businesses. Businesses like Kerbey Lane who, at the beginning of the year, launched Kerbey Kindness, a program aimed at supporting local nonprofit organizations.

“Kerbey Kindness centers around four core pillars,” said Mason Ayer, chief executive officer and owner of Kerbey Lane All Day Café™. “Nutrition, health and wellness; education; family and animal welfare.”

“We launched this program because kindness is central to who we are as a company,” said Mason. “Kerbey Lane has supported the community for decades, and our hope is that Kerbey Kindness introduces us to even more like-minded organizations to ultimately make the most impact by working together.”

In addition to being community-minded, Kerbey Lane and BBBS have an even stronger, more personal, connection. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas hits close to home for our team,” said Mason. “Our director of marketing, Karli Isiyel, was a Little Sister in the program and stays in contact with her Big Sister.”

“I definitely would not have been interested in college without my Big Sister’s influence,” said Karli. “It was so helpful to have that guidance when I was in my teens.” Karli credits her Big for not only giving her the incentive to seek out secondary education, but helping her with college applications and preparation as well. (Read more about Karli’s match here).

Helping young people succeed beyond high school is another important area of mutual focus for both organizations. “BBBS does important work in our community and directly aligns with our education pillar,” said Mason. “Specifically, the Big Futures program resonated with our team, as the extended match mentorship program provides crucial support for youth as they transition into young adulthood.”

The Kerbey Kindness collaboration is a natural connection between both organizations and the communities they serve.

“In supporting organizations like BBBS, we have the opportunity to directly impact the lives of individuals who have the potential to grow up to be our future leaders and teachers, continuing the cycle of giving back for the betterment of the community,” said Mason. “The Central Texas community has supported us from day one and giving back will always be a top priority for Kerbey Lane.”

Supporting BBBS also offers Mason the chance to highlight the importance of mentoring. “I have peers I turn to for advice and experience sharing,” he said.  “However, especially as I was beginning my career in the restaurant business, a mentor would have been extraordinarily valuable. I suspect I would have avoided many of the mistakes I made early on if I’d had a mentor.”

Thank you Kerbey Lane for selecting BBBS as a giveback recipient and for working with us to provide more kids in our community with the mentors they deserve.

Now, let’s eat some pancakes!

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