Mangaluru: In observance of Ramzan, a dedicated team from Hope Foundation is distributing 200 pre-dawn meal packs daily to hospitals across the city.
Saif Sulthan, a representative of the foundation, shared that the ‘Sehri of Hope’ initiative began six years ago and has grown steadily, expanding both in scale and reach. He explained that fasting Muslims must eat before dawn (Sehri) and refrain from food until sunset. Many patients admitted to Mangaluru hospitals hail from distant towns, leaving their families struggling to secure food during early hours. This initiative ensures that those in need have access to nutritious meals during this significant time.
With the backing of supporters like Munafil Jeppu and Afaan Ashraf, volunteers distribute food packets at Wenlock Hospital, Lady Goschen Hospital, and the general wards of private healthcare centers. Each meal usually includes ghee rice and lentils, while on some days, donors add chicken or egg curry to enhance nutrition.
Apart from the Sehri meal service, Hope Foundation also provides Ramzan relief kits to marginalized families. Each kit, worth ₹2,000, is given to widows, orphans, the elderly, and individuals facing severe health conditions. Initially launched in 2012 with 50 kits, the initiative has now expanded to distribute 1,300 kits across India, including Bihar, Kashmir, Kerala, and beyond.
Funded through Zakat, the Islamic practice of charitable giving, this program fosters unity by aiding people across communities, spreading compassion beyond religious lines.