Deli Owner Rewards Hard-Working Students With Snacks, Cash, And A Whole Lot Of Encouragement

June 6, 2025

At Zack’s Finest Deli & Grocery in Staten Island, New York, students aren’t just picking up snacks—they’re being celebrated for their hard work in school.

Wail Alselwi / Daisy / @islandock1

Wail Alselwi, co-owner and manager of the neighborhood deli, has turned his store into a hub of positivity and motivation.

Known online as “Island Ock,” Alselwi launched a good grades reward program in 2023, all to inspire a local 12-year-old named Zamier. He told the boy that if he improved his grades, he could choose anything he wanted from the store for free.

It worked. By the end of the year, Zamier made the honor roll—and word quickly spread.

Now, dozens of students regularly visit the deli with their report cards.

Alselwi hands out free snacks, T-shirts, and even $100 bills to kids who earn top grades. Students with an average of 80–90% get their pick of treats from the store, while those between 70–80% receive up to $10 in goodies. And even those who don’t hit those marks are still rewarded for progress, perfect attendance, or student-of-the-month honors.

“If a kid gets 90% or higher, I give them anything they want, plus a $100 bill and a T-shirt,” Alselwi told TODAY.com. “I like seeing the smile on their faces. Man, it makes me happy.”

The initiative has gained so much attention that people began asking how they could help. Alselwi launched a GoFundMe to support the growing demand, and has already raised more than $70,000.

The donations help fund snacks, cash prizes, and keep the spirit of encouragement alive in the community.

“Many kids lack encouragement, and sometimes, all it takes is a small incentive to boost their confidence and push them toward greatness,” he shared. “Imagine a student working extra hard to improve their grades, knowing their effort will be recognized and celebrated.”

To Alselwi, the money and snacks are just part of the story. What matters most is showing these kids that their hard work is seen and appreciated.

“My fans comment and they celebrate these kids with me and they acknowledge them with me,” he said. “The most important thing is you celebrate them and you show them that you really care about their hard work.”