CAUGHT ON CAMERA: A simple act of kindness with big impact

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - All restaurants have their regulars, but the Qdoba on Hurstbourne Parkway in Louisville seems to have more than its fair share, maybe because of the philosophy put into words by its general manager.

"It's just not about making people's food," said Jim Schroeder. "It's about what kind of positive impact can I have on somebody else's day."

Several weeks ago, a couple of regulars and an employee all crossed paths and maybe taught us all something about kindness.

[MORE: Soldier in viral video says comrades' cheers inspired her]

"We helped her get in because she was out in the parking lot so we helped her get in," said Dr. David Jones.

Dr. Jones shot the video but the story really belongs to Ridge Quarles and one of the customers he'd gotten to know over his five and a half years at the restaurant.

"She didn't get to get out of her house very often, but whenever she did, she always told me, 'Ridge, this is my most favorite place to eat,'" Quarles said.

[EVEN MORE! Ky trooper's good deed caught on camera]

We don't know her name or her story. Ridge said he would see her from time to time when she was dropped off by a TARC bus that helps people with disabilities.

"Sadly enough she has to sit outside the restaurant until someone notices her or another customer that's coming in has to let her into the building," said Quarles. "By now, she's actually been in so many times that we know what she likes to eat."

That order: A taco salad with hot sauce and cheese for lunch, a burrito with hot sauce and cheese for dinner.

Quarles said, "I had helped her through (the) line and sat her out in the lobby, got her a drink, got her utensils and napkin and kind of started to walk off and I was like, you know,

'Is there anything else I can help you with?' and she turned around and she was like, 'Sir, if you don't mind could you help me eat?'"

"He didn't stop to think about, 'Well, should I help her, should I not,' he just went over, put the gloves on and started feeding her," said Jones.

Jones was so impressed he knew he had to get it on video.

"I said, I don't know, I think I'll just send it out to some of my friends and say, 'there's still some good people in the world,'" he said.

It was a simple act.

Quarles said, "I mean, she needs help and if I wasn't going to do it, no one was. Who else is going to do it?"

It only took Quarles a few minutes, but it's had a lasting impact

Jones said, "It seems to me that if everybody in the world would just use the little simple gift that they have to maybe benefit somebody else, think what the world would be like."

Quarles has since left Qdoba to take a full time job elsewhere. He says in his time there, he's gotten very close to some of the regulars. He's attended birthday parties and was even invited to attend a wedding of two regular guests.

Copyright 2015 WAVE 3 News. All rights reserved.