A local deli owner is rewarding students with free items for their good grades: ‘You deserve it’

A community hero in Staten Island is proving that small acts of kindness can change lives.

With just a report card and a dream, students walk into a local deli and leave with groceries, cash, and confidence.

From report cards to rewards: How a community hero is making a difference

At Zack’s Finest Deli & Grocery, manager Wail Alselwi is giving more than just sandwiches—he’s giving hope.

His “Grades for Grabs” program rewards students with strong report cards, and his generous actions have gone viral on TikTok, earning him widespread praise as a true community hero.

One heartwarming video posted on TikTok shows a fourth-grader named Maleek, who traveled from Pennsylvania to share his report card with Wail.

The young student smiled with pride as Wail read Maleek’s grades—96, 100, 100, 100, 97, 93, and 99.

“Listen, you deserve this. You did good in school,” Wail told him.

Wail handed Maleek a $100 bill and encouraged him to pick up anything from the store.

The boy chose basic groceries like a loaf of bread, eggs, and rice. Wail also treated him to snacks and a warm sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich.

A community hero changing lives one grade at a time

Wail’s Grades for Grabs program goes far beyond rewarding the top students.

His tiered system recognizes kids across various academic levels:

• Students with 90%+ averages receive $100, snacks, and a custom T-shirt.
• Kids with 80–90% can grab anything from the store.
• Those with 70–80% get to choose up to $10 worth of items.

But Wail doesn’t stop at grades. Students showing improvement, perfect attendance, or earning “Student of the Month” honors also receive prizes.

His goal is to uplift every child putting in the effort.

“I like seeing the smile on their faces,” Wail tells TODAY.com. “Man, it makes me happy.”

Bodega rewards for students spark viral movement

This grassroots effort began in 2023 with a single promise to a struggling student named Zamier Davis.

At the time, Zamier worked hard but couldn’t make the honor roll. Wail told him he could choose anything in the store for free if he improved.

Zamier soon started raising his grades, earning treats like Oreo milkshakes and egg sandwiches.

Eventually, he made the honor roll—and Wail posted a celebratory video that touched millions.

“A lot of kids started coming to show me their report card,” he says.

What began as one man helping one boy turned into a movement.

Wail’s uplifting videos, often showing kids proudly holding their report cards, have inspired countless others.

His bodega has become a symbol of joy, encouragement, and free groceries for good grades.

Community support powers this hero’s mission

The community hero isn’t doing it alone. Originally from Yemen, Wail says he sees his own children—who still live overseas—in the young faces that walk into his store. His emotional connection runs deep.

He’s also grateful for the online support. Viewers from all over the world flood his TikTok page with encouraging comments, thanks, and blessings.

Their appreciation inspired Wail’s brother to launch a GoFundMe campaign that has now raised nearly $50,000.

“I cannot do it by myself,” says Wail. “My fans comment and they celebrate these kids with me and they acknowledge them with me. Let’s say I’m giving them $100 or if I’m giving them snacks for free or a T-shirt, to me, that does not matter. The most important thing is you celebrate them and you show them that you really care about their hard work.”

Why these matters: More than just groceries

Wail’s bodega rewards’ impact on students isn’t measured in dollars or views.

It’s measured in pride, smiles, and motivation. Kids who once struggled now have something to look forward to. Parents are grateful. And communities are inspired.

With every reward he gives, Wail is building more than academic motivation—he’s building a legacy of kindness.

Here’s the community hero, Wail Alselwi, and the student, Zamier Davis, featured on PIX11 News. Watch their inspiring story now: