A Texas waiter was handed a huge tip as a reward for his random act of kindness in a supermarket 24 hours earlier.

Kasey Simmons, an employee at Applebee's bar and grill restaurant, was stunned when he saw he had been left a $500 tip on a bill for just $0.37.

The 32-year-old told CNN: "They ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. Flavoured water."

The customer who left the tip turned out to be the daughter of a woman who kind-hearted Simmons had stopped to help in a grocery store the day before.

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He offered to pay for her shopping, explaining: "It was only $17, but it's not about the money. It's about showing someone you care."

A note left for the waiter. Photo / WFFA
A note left for the waiter. Photo / WFFA

The woman also left a napkin with a note explaining why she decided to give the waiter such a big tip.

"On one of the most depressing days of the year ... you made my mother's day wonderful...You insisted on paying [and] told her she is a very beautiful woman," it said.

"I have not seen this woman smile this much since dad died...My mother did not need you to help her, but you made her year!"