Caroline's Kitchen makes tamales for those in need.[/caption]

A number of restaurant owners throughout the Tomball and Magnolia areas opened their businesses to serve area residents in need after Hurricane Harvey.

Caroline Cobell, owner of Caroline's Kitchen on W. Main Street in Tomball, said she opened her store Wednesday morning, Aug. 30, to give away gourmet tamales for free to the community.

"In the back of my neighborhood, when I saw [first responders] pulling people out in boats with the clothes on their backs ... I could not sit by and say how nice and warm and cozy I am in my house," Cobell said.

Cobell said she and her team of volunteers fed approximately 350 people on Wednesday and the same amount on Thursday, Aug. 31, including Harris County Precinct 4, Ponderosa Fire Department, and Klein Fire Department.

Along with monetary donations, Cobell has received donations of ingredients from several restaurants and establishments, she said.

Diego Copa, a co-owner of Che Gaucho in Tomball, has sent supplies to Caroline's Kitchen as well as provided empanadas for first responders in Tomball, he said.

"It touched our hearts to see so many people devastated," Copa said. "Even though we cannot help those who have been evacuated, we are able to help those who are helping them."

Paz Patel, owner of Magnolia Diner in Montgomery, said he has been working with his father, Manu Patel—who owns the restaurant's Magnolia location—to serve both communities.

Patel and his father have been in contact with churches and shelters in the area who send specific families in need to Magnolia Diner where they can get a free hot meal, Patel said. The restaurant has also sent boxed meals to Magnolia-based nonprofit Society of Samaritans, as well as feeding first responders, Patel said.

Additionally in Magnolia, Susan Quan, owner of Ace Chinese Restaurant located in Magnolia, opened her restaurant to serve police officers, deputies and first responders. During the 2008 Hurricane Ike, Quan's restaurant was located in The Woodlands, where she served those who had no power, Quan said.

Quan has made food with her family, while her employees were not able to get to the restaurant because of flooding, she said.

"I wanted to bring out my family and teach my kids as well how to help out our neighbors," Quan said.