The Hope Caravan Foundation (Umut Kervanı Vakfı) has kicked off its annual Ramadan relief effort in Bingöl, distributing food packages to needy, orphaned, and struggling families under the heartfelt slogan “Let Ramadan be Hope.”

The initiative, which began ahead of the holy month, aims to bring sustenance and solidarity to thousands across the city as economic hardship and soaring living costs tighten their grip.

Mehmet Refik Gönül, the foundation’s Bingöl representative, announced the campaign in a poignant statement, emphasizing their mission to deliver charity, donations, and zakat from generous philanthropists to those in dire need. “We’ve been preparing these food packages to reach families before and throughout Ramadan,” Gönül said. “This year, we’ve seen an unprecedented surge in applications—dozens of families turn to us daily, sharing their struggles. Together, let’s ease the burdens of this economic crisis. The more we share, the lighter these hardships become.”

Each food package, priced at 1,000 TL, is a lifeline for families grappling with poverty, and Gönül urged the community to dig deeper during Ramadan, a time when compassion traditionally swells. “Our 12-year legacy drives us to push our limits, ensuring aid reaches every victimized soul we can,” he added, noting the foundation’s ongoing efforts despite limited resources.

Gönül framed Ramadan as more than a season of fasting—it’s a sacred chance for physical and spiritual renewal. “This month, known as the sultan of eleven months, carries the essence of Islamic civilization and social unity,” he said. “It’s a time of mercy, forgiveness, and discipline, when we deepen our sense of brotherhood, responsibility, and generosity.” He highlighted the month’s profound significance: the revelation of the Qur’an, the blessed Laylat al-Qadr, and the obligation of fasting, all weaving a spiritual tapestry that uplifts the faithful.

The foundation’s work, Gönül stressed, embodies the virtue of infaq—charitable giving that fosters brotherhood and curbs greed. Quoting the Qur’an, he reminded donors, “You’ll never attain goodness unless you give what you love,” and cited a hadith promising forgiveness for those who embrace Ramadan’s spirit. “By aiding the poor, the earthquake-stricken, and the needy, we bind their wounds and strengthen our unity,” he said. “Sitting together at iftar and praying shoulder-to-shoulder transcends wealth, age, and gender—it fortifies us as a community.”

The Hope Caravan’s campaign is a call to extend Ramadan’s blessings beyond the month, embedding its values of compassion and solidarity into everyday life. “May this blessed time bring beauty to us, the ummah, and all humanity,” Gönül concluded, his words a prayer for a Ramadan that not only feeds the hungry but heals a fractured world.

As the holy month dawns, the foundation’s efforts shine as a beacon of hope in Bingöl, proving that even in tough times, the spirit of giving endures. (ILKHA)