The Hope Caravan Foundation (Umut Kervanı Vakfı), a prominent humanitarian organization operating across Türkiye and beyond, opened its first "social market" in Istanbul’s Sultanbeyli district on Saturday, providing families in need with free access to essential goods.

The initiative, designed to offer dignified support, allows registered families to shop for food, clothing, and hygiene products at no cost, tailored to their specific needs.

The market was inaugurated with a ceremony led by the foundation’s president, Cengiz Kurtaran, which began with prayers and underscored the organization’s commitment to empowering disadvantaged communities. “This initiative allows individuals to shop according to their specific needs, offering a more respectful and empowering approach to aid,” Kurtaran said during the opening.

Stocked with hundreds of donated items, including groceries, clothes, and cleaning supplies, the social market operates on a model previously implemented by the foundation in provinces like Şanlıurfa, Van, and Siirt. Instead of receiving pre-packed aid parcels, families are allocated a budget to select their own essentials, fostering independence and choice.

Managed by the foundation’s women’s branches, the market prioritizes creating a safe and comfortable environment, particularly for mothers shopping for their families. The Hope Caravan Foundation emphasized that the market will operate year-round to provide consistent support to those facing economic hardship.

The initiative has been made possible through donations from philanthropists and funds raised by the foundation, reflecting its ongoing mission to deliver sustainable, community-driven aid across Türkiye. (ILKHA)