I don’t know about you, but for me, a trip to the deli will probably include a corned beef on rye. Maybe an extra pickle. But I can assure you, the only math that will be involved is the cashier calculating my check.
Things are very different in a certain New York deli and convenience store.
That would be the Lucky Candy in the Bronx. If you can provide the correct answer to a math equation, you are given five seconds to run around the store and grab whatever you want off the shelves. Whatever you can scoop up in that timeframe is yours—for free.
Shoppers are warned about the one thing in the store they can’t take. That would be his cat. And yes, he had to add that rule because someone did try to take it.
The Man Behind the Game
That would be the young man behind the game. Because the brainchild behind this is 20-year-old college student Ahmed Alwan.
Alwan is full of fun and full of life. And earlier this year he came up with an idea to play a game with his shoppers.
In an interview with CNN, he explained his motivation.
“All I wanted to do was to help people. But I wanted to make it fun. So I made a TikTok and chose a challenge, asking them a math question. It’s a way to entertain and educate people in need while putting a smile on their face, too.”
Of course, those items may be free to the customers, but they still need to be paid for. And Alwan himself pays for whatever items are grabbed, no matter how expensive. And since the store carries a wide range of items, from ice cream or a bag of chips to speakers and hookahs, some of those items can be pricy.
A History of Generosity
Alwan, who has been working at the store alongside his father, who owns it, since he was 13. When not at the store, he attends Bronx Community College and is studying to become a pharmacist.
He’s come to know a lot of people in his community and wants to help them however he can. And if that means paying out of his own pocket so they can pick up a few things at no charge, he’s happy knowing the money they save can go to things like rent and utilities.
In an interview with Today, he shares,
“I’ve always helped out people in the neighborhood. They’ve known me since I was a little kid. I know half of them by name and, ya know, sometimes they need credit. This neighborhood has a lot of poor people. I see people — some of whom are close customers — sleeping on the train. I used to give them buttered rolls, coffee, and banana for free in the morning.”
The Impact on the Community
While this story has gone viral, and Alwan has gained some TikTok fame, it’s what he is doing for is his community that resonates.
His father, an immigrant from Yemen, has seen the positive impact.
“It’s great to see him do good and help out the community, and most importantly represent Islam. It’s impacting the business in a positive way, bringing awareness and attention to the store as well as spreading positivity throughout the community.”
And the younger Alwan also sees the impact.
“This changed our relationship with the community big time,” Alwan said. “They’re all showing me so much love and lining up at the store just for a chance to play. We have so many visitors coming to take pictures and say hi. But it’s not about me. It’s about the community.”
There is always payback when we are kindhearted.
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