Waiter feeds man with cerebral palsy so mother could eat; Viral story resurfaces as feel-good moment [PHOTO]

Server “Five” quietly helped Lee Bondurant enjoy oysters while his mother’s food stayed warm in 2016 act of kindness

A waiter’s quiet act of kindness from 2016 has resurfaced as a feel-good viral moment, reminding viewers of the power of simple compassion. The story of “Five,” a college student and server at Raleigh‘s 42nd Street Oyster Bar, who fed a man with cerebral palsy so his mother could eat her own meal, has been recirculated across social media platforms.

The photograph shows Five feeding Lee Bondurant, a man who cannot use his hands due to cerebral palsy, while Bondurant’s mother, Linda, watches. The gesture, which Bondurant described as “the ultimate kindness,” led to a lasting friendship between the two men and international recognition for Five, who directed donations to a cerebral palsy foundation.

A Simple Gesture at a Raleigh Oyster Bar

The incident occurred on Memorial Day weekend 2016 at 42nd Street Oyster Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bondurant, then 51, was dining with his mother, Linda Bondurant-Snow. Because Bondurant cannot use his hands due to cerebral palsy, his mother was attempting to feed both him and herself simultaneously.

Their server, a college student who went by the nickname “Five,” noticed the situation. According to Bondurant-Snow’s account, Five casually asked Bondurant if he had ever tried oysters. When Bondurant replied that he had not, Five offered to serve him his first oyster. He then proceeded to feed Bondurant spoon by spoon throughout the meal so that neither person’s food would get cold.

Bondurant-Snow photographed the moment. She later described the approach as smooth and respectful, designed not to embarrass her son, and as simply “offering to share in the experience.” Five later explained his reasoning: “Seafood is best eaten hot, so I didn’t want her food to get cold. I didn’t want his food to get cold. I just wanted to help a fellow man out.”

“Ultimate Kindness” and a Viral Photograph

Bondurant stated of the act: “That was the ultimate kindness he showed me.” He also said, “I really appreciate what he did, an act of kindness,” and “To find someone that kind in a world like today, that is a hard thing to find. You don’t find it every day.” His mother posted the photo and story on his Facebook page, where it received more than 1,300 shares.

She publicly recommended asking for Five when dining at the restaurant and wrote that the gesture showed “there are still decent and compassionate people left in our country.” She noted that her son hoped people would treat those with special needs “with respect and kindness, not pity,” adding that they are “normal on the inside” and have the same feelings as everyone else.

Restaurant management responded positively. General Manager Hunter Correll told ABC News that Five “has been overwhelmed with the attention, as he was just doing what he thought was the right thing to do.” Manager Ryan Tyson stated the restaurant was fortunate to have staff with a strong hospitality orientation.

Five’s Humble Response to Attention

Five, described as humble and averse to attention, had no Facebook account at the time and had to ask what “shares and likes” meant. He asked coworkers to cover for him while he assisted. After that, he received letters from Austria, Australia, Canada, and various U.S. states. Additionally, he received unsolicited money that he directed into a fund created in Bondurant’s name for a cerebral palsy foundation.

He declined offers of free gas at stations where people recognized him. Five worked two jobs while attending college and preparing for graduate school. He used only that nickname publicly; no full legal name appears in contemporary reporting.

The photograph and story spread rapidly across social media and national outlets in early June 2016. Coverage appeared on ABC News, ABC11, ABC7, MyFox8, and others, cementing the moment as a feel-good story that resonated with audiences nationwide.

A Friendship That Continued

One month later, in mid-July 2016, Bondurant celebrated his birthday at 42nd Street Oyster Bar with family and friends and invited Five to join. Local television coverage documented their reunion. Bondurant said, “I’m glad I met Five, he’s a real good friend of mine” and “I’m very blessed. It shows there are good people in the world still.”

The two embraced; Five replied to Bondurant’s comment “Here we are again” with the same phrase. Reporting indicated they had seen each other in the intervening period and that a genuine friendship had formed. Five continued working at the restaurant and attending school.

The friendship demonstrated that the interaction was not a one-time gesture but the beginning of a meaningful connection between the two men. The reunion further amplified the story’s positive impact.

Bondurant’s Ongoing Health Journey

In October 2016, Bondurant underwent deep brain stimulation surgery at Duke Hospital to treat aspects of his cerebral palsy. The procedure improved mobility but required subsequent adjustments. By January 2017 he had been unable to work for weeks due to recovery and a needed fourth readjustment of the stimulator.

Family and friends launched a fundraiser to support him during the temporary leave of absence from his Kroger job, where he had been employed for roughly 24 years. A 2017 ABC11 report noted the earlier viral photo and the surgery.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by Bondurant himself, titled “HELP for MY INDEPENDENT LIFE,” was active as of July 2023. It raised $2,665 toward a $4,000 goal from 28 donors. In the description, Bondurant stated he was working with CNAs, physical therapists, and occupational therapists daily to regain strength and independence after a setback.

A Story That Continues to Resonate

The story has been recirculated periodically as a feel-good narrative. Last week, the Facebook page “Caught In Providence” posted the original photograph with a caption summarizing the 2016 events, generating hundreds of thousands of reactions and tens of thousands of shares. Similar recaps appeared on Instagram reels and other positive-news accounts.

The viral recirculation of the story serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of everyday kindness. Bondurant’s words about finding good people in a difficult world continue to resonate with viewers who encounter the story for the first time or rediscover it years later.

No verified public record identifies Five’s full legal name, current occupation, or location after 2016. Bondurant’s public footprint after 2023 is limited to the referenced fundraiser language. The original image used in the 2026 Facebook post is the same photograph taken by Bondurant-Snow in May 2016.