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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Kids are chasing good grades at a Staten Island deli. See why.

Updated April 13, 2026, 7:39 a.m. ET
Over the past three years, thousands of students have come through Zach’s Finest Deli’s doors. Located in Staten Island’s Port Richmond neighborhood, it’s where manager Wail Alselwi, right, runs his “Grades for Grabs” initiative, which incentivizes kids to earn good grades with free snacks and prizes. Nash Alselwi, left, began a GoFundMe to help fund his brother's program.
Over the past three years, thousands of students have come through Zach’s Finest Deli’s doors. Located in Staten Island’s Port Richmond neighborhood, it’s where manager Wail Alselwi, right, runs his “Grades for Grabs” initiative, which incentivizes kids to earn good grades with free snacks and prizes. Nash Alselwi, left, began a GoFundMe to help fund his brother's program.
Rachel Hale
“They improve because of everything that he inspires them to do,” says Tina Broadhurst, the parent to elementary school students London and Lauryn Luster. “London has picked up her grades tremendously because she wants to come to Island Ock.”
“They improve because of everything that he inspires them to do,” says Tina Broadhurst, the parent to elementary school students London and Lauryn Luster. “London has picked up her grades tremendously because she wants to come to Island Ock.”
Rachel Hale
The “Grades for Grabs” program has skyrocketed in popularity, in large part due to Wail Alselwi’s viral videos of his interactions with the kids. People have traveled from Illinois, Oklahoma and even Canada to show Alselwi their grades. At times, lines of 300 to 400 kids outside the deli.
The “Grades for Grabs” program has skyrocketed in popularity, in large part due to Wail Alselwi’s viral videos of his interactions with the kids. People have traveled from Illinois, Oklahoma and even Canada to show Alselwi their grades. At times, lines of 300 to 400 kids outside the deli.
Rachel Hale
Charletta Otto Gaye says Alselwi gave her son Theodore Lettein Jr. the push he needed to score top marks on his recent report card. “He was the one that pushed him a little harder than I did, because I've been telling him he can get all fours for the longest [time], but once Island Ock said it, it was like it woke up something.”
Charletta Otto Gaye says Alselwi gave her son Theodore Lettein Jr. the push he needed to score top marks on his recent report card. “He was the one that pushed him a little harder than I did, because I've been telling him he can get all fours for the longest [time], but once Island Ock said it, it was like it woke up something.”
Rachel Hale
“It makes me feel so good, you don’t even understand,” Wail Alselwi says about helping kids in the neighborhood. “I want them to have confidence in themselves.”
“It makes me feel so good, you don’t even understand,” Wail Alselwi says about helping kids in the neighborhood. “I want them to have confidence in themselves.”
Rachel Hale/USA TODAY
Fifth grader London Luster and her sister Lauryn, who is in third grade, order ice cream in front of Zach's Finest Deli after school. “He became my best friend,” London jokes of bodega manager Wail Alselwi. “Island Ock should let me work here.”
Fifth grader London Luster and her sister Lauryn, who is in third grade, order ice cream in front of Zach's Finest Deli after school. “He became my best friend,” London jokes of bodega manager Wail Alselwi. “Island Ock should let me work here.”
Rachel Hale/USA TODAY
The Alselwi brothers make sure the store is stocked with all the kids’ favorites, which include Buldak spicy ramen and mega-viral Propitious Mango ice cream.
The Alselwi brothers make sure the store is stocked with all the kids’ favorites, which include Buldak spicy ramen and mega-viral Propitious Mango ice cream.
Rachel Hale
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