Foti High Five: Local restaurant helps families cope with cancer

WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, Texas (KTRK) -- A local restaurant is serving out more than just food -- it's giving thousands of families hope, faith and financial support while their loved ones are battling cancer.

"It was really geared for children," said Little Matt's founder and owner Jim Reid. "It just turned out to be better than I ever dreamed it would be."

Reid says Little Matt's is a passion project that came out of a dark moment of his life when his son Kevin was diagnosed with cancer at age three.

"It was a shock. It's devastating. I don't think you really grasp it until you're up at Texas Children's," said Reid.

It was there Reid said he saw the need. He saw families struggling, their hope and faith tested.

"It takes a little time to understand how quickly your life is changing financially, emotionally, spiritually and physically," said Reid.

Inside the restaurant, there are letters on the wall that tell stories about that very same struggle from other families who are now customers. Most of them have been helped financially by Reid and Little Matt's. The restaurant is a nonprofit, and all of the net proceeds go to helping families. So far, more than 5,100 families have received financial aid.

Reid said the restaurant was designed to be an escape for families dealing with cancer. Inside, there is family-style seating, ice cream, candy, iPads for the kids, free margarita for adults and an arcade for all. Reid wants people to connect and restore hope and faith. It's what keeps them coming back.

"I always felt like it was my duty to give back, and we've done it and hopefully we can continue to do it," said Reid.

Reid said his son had a relapse in his cancer battle, but he is alive.

Reid reminded us all the there's more joy in giving back than receiving. And for all of his generosity and inspiration, Jim Reid received a Foti High Five.

Report a typo to the ABC13 staff