One milkshake.
And eventually, hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed by thousands of people who wanted to help the idea continue.
The Program Is About More Than Perfect Grades
It would be easy to look at “Grades for Grabs” and conclude that it is simply a system where children get money for high scores.
But the reporting suggests something broader.
Alselwi has repeatedly talked about improvement.
ABC News reported that he encourages students who are failing to focus on passing and improving their grades. Good Morning America
That means the program is not necessarily asking every child to become the top student in the classroom.
Instead, the message is closer to:
Do better than you did before. Keep trying. Show your effort.
That can be particularly meaningful for students who may not believe they are naturally “good at school.”
A student who moves from a failing grade to a passing grade may not receive the same recognition at school as someone who consistently earns the highest marks.
But from the perspective of personal growth, that improvement can represent months of effort.
The program attempts to make that effort visible.
Parents Have Noticed the Difference
Parents have also described the program as a source of motivation.
The Washington Post reported that parents saw changes in their children's enthusiasm toward school after participating in Alselwi’s initiative. One parent described her daughter arriving at the deli happily with her report card because she knew she would leave even happier. The Washington Post
That reaction helps explain why the program has resonated with so many families.
Children often respond strongly to immediate feedback.
A teacher may tell a student that hard work will eventually help them succeed.
A parent may repeat the same message.
But when a child actually sees someone celebrating the result of that hard work, the message becomes tangible.
The reward itself may be temporary.
The feeling of being recognized can last much longer.
The Deli Became a Place of Celebration
There is something symbolic about the setting.
Academic achievement is usually associated with classrooms, report cards, school assemblies and graduation ceremonies.
“Grades for Grabs” moved part of that celebration into a neighborhood deli.
Students did not have to enter an official academic building.
They did not have to attend a ceremony.
They could simply walk into a familiar store with their report card.
The counter became a kind of informal celebration desk.
The shelves filled with everyday products became a source of rewards.
And the store owner became an unexpected mentor figure.
ABC News described Alselwi as a deli owner who lets young customers exchange their good grades for food essentials and snacks. ABC News
That simplicity may be one of the reasons the story has connected with so many people.
It does not require an elaborate institution.
It began with one adult deciding to encourage one child.
The Movement Expanded Beyond Rewards
By 2026, the initiative had expanded beyond the original report-card rewards.
ABC News reported that Alselwi asked his more than one million TikTok followers for help providing school supplies to more than 3,000 students before the school year began. He also said that some supplies were donated to teachers. ABC News
This is an important development.
The original concept was based on rewarding academic achievement.
The expanded effort addresses something different: helping students prepare for school in the first place.
Not every child begins the school year with the same resources.
Some families may struggle with the cost of backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders and other basic supplies.