On 7th April 2024, Apportion Relief Foundation (ARF) organized a remarkable Eid gift distribution program aimed at bringing joy and comfort to the underprivileged members of society. The event saw the distribution of more than 100 Eid gift boxes to a diverse group that included those living below the poverty line, individuals who work but struggle to make ends meet, and families facing severe economic hardships. The gesture reflected ARF's commitment to improving lives through compassionate outreach, as articulated in its mission to "eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, and provide educational opportunities"​.

Contents of the Eid Gift Boxes: The Eid gift boxes were thoughtfully curated, each containing items to make the recipients’ Eid celebration memorable and joyous. The packages included:

• One set of shalwar kameez cloth for males.
• One set of shalwar kameez cloth for females.
• Cone mehendi for traditional henna application.
• A pack of seviyan, a traditional sweet treat served on Eid.
• Churiyan (bangles) for the female recipients.

These items were of excellent quality, with ARF ensuring that the fabric and contents were of high standard to truly reflect the spirit of giving and joy associated with Eid. This initiative was part of ARF’s General Welfare Projects, which aim to address the basic needs of underprivileged families by providing essential goods during key occasions like Eid​.

The Event Flow: The Eid gift distribution program began with a spiritual ambiance, setting the tone for a meaningful celebration. The program included:

1. Recitation of the Holy Quran, marking the start of the event with blessings and reflections.
2. Hamd and Naat recitations were performed by renowned nasheed reciters, Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Tahir and Mr. Mubashir, who captivated the audience with their soulful performances, praising Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
3. Address and Dua: A short address was delivered, emphasizing the importance of compassion and charity during Ramadan, followed by a collective Dua (prayer) for the well-being of the community.
4. Distribution of Gifts: The gift boxes were distributed among the needy attendees, sparking happiness and gratitude in the hearts of all present.
5. Iftar: The event concluded with an Iftar meal, a moment of shared joy as participants broke their fast together.

Impact and Reception: The Eid gift distribution not only provided tangible aid in the form of clothing and traditional Eid essentials but also delivered a sense of dignity and respect to the underprivileged families. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and community spirit, as recipients felt included in the broader Eid celebrations. The event was particularly well-received, reflecting ARF’s ongoing efforts to reduce dependency and improve lives by empowering the most vulnerable sectors of society​(Detailed Description of…)​(Detailed Description of…).

Execution and Teamwork: ARF’s operational and media teams played a critical role in ensuring the success of the event. From organizing the logistics to handling media coverage and donor communications, the event was a collaborative effort. The seamless execution of the event highlights ARF’s dedication to transparency and efficiency in its operations, ensuring that the resources entrusted to them by donors are used effectively.

Follow-Up and Donor Communication: In the days following the event, ARF sent detailed reports to its donors, outlining the impact of their contributions and the successful distribution of the Eid gifts. This act of transparency reflects ARF’s core value of accountability, ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed about how their support is making a difference in the lives of the needy.

Conclusion: The Eid gift distribution program was a heartwarming and successful initiative by Apportion Relief Foundation. Through this event, ARF not only met the material needs of the underprivileged but also spread the joy of Eid, fostering a sense of belonging and hope. By aligning with its broader mission and vision, ARF continues to empower the disadvantaged, reduce dependency, and improve lives across Pakistan.

In response to the ongoing economic instability and increasing food insecurity, Apportion Relief Foundation (ARF) continued its mission of alleviating hunger with the Ramadan 2024 Ration Distribution Program. Building on the success of the 2023 initiative, this year’s program was conducted in two phases, distributing over 600 food packages to underprivileged families in Lahore during the holy month of Ramadan. With inflation and rising food costs severely impacting low-income households, this program provided much-needed relief to vulnerable families struggling to afford basic necessities.

Objective of the Program:

The primary goal of the 2024 Ration Distribution Program was to combat hunger and ensure food security for impoverished families during Ramadan. ARF sought to:

• Provide essential nutrition to over 600 deserving families.
• Promote well-being among economically vulnerable communities.
• Foster a sense of community support and compassion during the sacred month.

Program Details:

Distribution Process: The program was executed in two phases:

• Phase 1: Over 300 food packages were distributed in 12 March 2024.
• Phase 2: Another 300 packages were distributed in late March, ahead of Ramadan’s peak.

ARF worked with local stores and volunteers to prepare the food packages. To ensure fairness, families were issued unique-coded coupons, and beneficiary lists were maintained with detailed information to ensure aid reached the most deserving.

Food Package Contents: Each package contained essential food items, similar to last year, with additions to meet rising demands. The packages included:

• Wheat Atta: 5kg
• Banaspati Ghee: 2kg
• Sugar: 2kg
• Supreme Rice: 2kg
• Sharbat (Ruh Afzah): 500ml
• Daal Chana: 1kg
• Besan: 1kg
• Daal Masur: 1kg
• Tea: 250g
• Salt: 1kg
• Red Chili Powder: 250g
• Turmeric: 250g
• Dates: 500g
• Savaiyan (Vermicelli): 500g
• Daal Mash: 1kg

These packages helped families maintain a balanced and nutritious diet throughout Ramadan.

Volunteer and Community Engagement:

ARF’s volunteers once again played a crucial role in organizing, packing, and distributing the food packages. This year, the distribution events also included the participation of notable guests such as the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Director Admin of Minhaj University, further raising the program’s profile and fostering community involvement.

Economic Impact:

With worsening economic conditions in 2024, the initiative provided immense relief by saving families from the escalating costs of basic food items. Many beneficiaries expressed gratitude, acknowledging that the program helped ease their financial burdens, allowing them to focus on spiritual matters during Ramadan.

Media and Donor Engagement:

ARF maintained transparency by providing regular updates on social media and through direct reports to donors. Local media coverage, including from City 42, raised awareness about the ongoing efforts, ensuring continued support from donors. This transparency helped build trust and encouraged greater public participation.

Conclusion:

ARF’s 2024 Ramadan Ration Distribution Program was a significant success, reaching over 600 families in Lahore and providing critical relief amid rising food costs and economic instability. By offering essential food supplies, the initiative not only alleviated hunger but also created a sense of hope and unity in the community. ARF remains committed to expanding its efforts and addressing food insecurity in the most vulnerable populations.

In response to the ongoing economic instability and increasing food insecurity, Apportion Relief Foundation (ARF) continued its mission of alleviating hunger with the Ramadan 2024 Ration Distribution Program. Building on the success of the 2023 initiative, this year’s program was conducted in two phases, distributing over 600 food packages to underprivileged families in Lahore during the holy month of Ramadan. With inflation and rising food costs severely impacting low-income households, this program provided much-needed relief to vulnerable families struggling to afford basic necessities.

Objective of the Program:

The primary goal of the 2024 Ration Distribution Program was to combat hunger and ensure food security for impoverished families during Ramadan. ARF sought to:

• Provide essential nutrition to over 600 deserving families.
• Promote well-being among economically vulnerable communities.
• Foster a sense of community support and compassion during the sacred month.

Program Details:

Distribution Process: The program was executed in two phases:

• Phase 1: Over 300 food packages were distributed 0n 12 March, 2024.
• Phase 2: Another batch of 300 packages were distributed in 27 March, 2024.

ARF worked with local stores and volunteers to prepare the food packages. To ensure fairness, families were issued unique-coded coupons, and beneficiary lists were maintained with detailed information to ensure aid reached the most deserving.

Food Package Contents: Each package contained essential food items, similar to last year, with additions to meet rising demands. The packages included:

• Wheat Atta: 5kg
• Banaspati Ghee: 2kg
• Sugar: 2kg
• Supreme Rice: 2kg
• Sharbat (Ruh Afzah): 500ml
• Daal Chana: 1kg
• Besan: 1kg
• Daal Masur: 1kg
• Tea: 250g
• Salt: 1kg
• Red Chili Powder: 250g
• Turmeric: 250g
• Dates: 500g
• Savaiyan (Vermicelli): 500g
• Daal Mash: 1kg

These packages helped families maintain a balanced and nutritious diet throughout Ramadan.

Volunteer and Community Engagement:

ARF’s volunteers once again played a crucial role in organizing, packing, and distributing the food packages. This year, the distribution events also included the participation of notable guests such as the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Director Admin of Minhaj University, further raising the program’s profile and fostering community involvement.

Economic Impact:

With worsening economic conditions in 2024, the initiative provided immense relief by saving families from the escalating costs of basic food items. Many beneficiaries expressed gratitude, acknowledging that the program helped ease their financial burdens, allowing them to focus on spiritual matters during Ramadan.

Media and Donor Engagement:

ARF maintained transparency by providing regular updates on social media and through direct reports to donors. Local media coverage, including from City 42, raised awareness about the ongoing efforts, ensuring continued support from donors. This transparency helped build trust and encouraged greater public participation.

Conclusion:

ARF’s 2024 Ramadan Ration Distribution Program was a significant success, reaching over 600 families in Lahore and providing critical relief amid rising food costs and economic instability. By offering essential food supplies, the initiative not only alleviated hunger but also created a sense of hope and unity in the community. ARF remains committed to expanding its efforts and addressing food insecurity in the most vulnerable populations.

In March and April 2024, the Apportion Relief Foundation (ARF) continued its noble tradition by organizing its second annual Ramadan Sehr and Iftar initiative. This year, the initiative was even more impactful, reaching more than 500 individuals daily. The ongoing economic instability and worsening inflation made ARF’s efforts even more crucial, as low-income workers and laborers struggled to meet their daily food needs. The initiative, held near the Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Area, Township, Lahore, provided a lifeline to underprivileged families, helping them save on food expenses and making a tangible difference in their daily lives.

Overview of the Activity

Throughout Ramadan, ARF served freshly prepared, nutritious meals to over 500 people daily, both at Sehr (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (meal to break the fast). Beneficiaries included laborers, low-income families, and factory workers, all of whom faced heightened financial pressures due to worsening economic conditions in Pakistan. For many, this initiative provided much-needed relief during a time of spiritual significance, ensuring they could observe their fasts with dignity and without the burden of worrying about their next meal.

Nutritional and Hygienic Meal Preparation

As in 2023, ARF placed strong emphasis on the quality, hygiene, and nutrition of the meals provided. Using FDA-approved ingredients, every meal was prepared fresh daily, maintaining a balance between taste and nutritional value while respecting traditional Ramadan foods.

Sehri Menu:

• Parathas and rotis (flatbread)
• Accompaniments such as yogurt and lassi (both sweet and salty varieties)
• Rotating curries including:
• Chicken Qorma
• Chana (chickpea curry)
• Anda Kofta (egg and meatball curry)
• Haleem
• Fresh water to ensure hydration

Iftar Menu:

• Traditional fast-breaking items like dates and sharbat or lemon sharbat
• Snacks such as:
• Samosas
• Rolls
• Dahi Bara / Fruit Chaat
• Chana Chaat
• Main courses rotating between rice and curries such as:
• Haleem
• Chana
• Chicken Qorma
• Kofta

These carefully planned meals ensured that individuals were well-nourished and could sustain their fasts during Ramadan. Many beneficiaries expressed gratitude, noting that the initiative significantly lightened their financial burden, allowing them to save on food expenses during a difficult economic period.

Volunteer and Community Engagement

ARF’s dedicated team of volunteers once again played a pivotal role in the success of the initiative. They worked tirelessly, ensuring the meals were prepared and served in a timely and organized manner. Even during difficult weather conditions, the Dastarkhwan (dining area) was moved to a covered space, ensuring the continuity of service. The community's involvement, alongside ARF’s volunteers, further strengthened the sense of solidarity and shared purpose during Ramadan.

Media Coverage and Public Engagement

This year, ARF’s initiative garnered increased media attention. City 42 and other local media outlets highlighted the event, emphasizing the critical role ARF was playing in alleviating hunger during a time of great need. The foundation’s social media team provided real-time updates, keeping donors informed and fostering greater awareness of ARF’s ongoing efforts. This transparency continued to build trust and encouraged more individuals to contribute to the cause.

Spiritual Uplift and Community Bonding

Each Iftar gathering was not only about providing meals but also fostering a deep sense of spiritual connection. After the meal, attendees participated in Mehfil-e-Naat  and dua . This helped reinforce the spiritual and communal aspect of Ramadan, providing a sense of unity and gratitude. Children and families particularly enjoyed the inclusive, welcoming environment, making the experience joyful and uplifting.

Donor and Stakeholder Engagement

ARF’s success in 2024 was also due to the generous support of donors, many of whom appreciated the transparent reporting provided by the foundation. The daily updates reassured donors about how their contributions were being utilized, encouraging more people and organizations to contribute to this noble cause. The ongoing partnership with corporate sponsors, including the Value Group, further demonstrated the importance of community collaboration in addressing social issues.

Conclusion

In 2024, ARF’s Ramadan Sehr and Iftar initiative reached new heights, serving more than 500 individuals daily amidst worsening economic conditions in Pakistan. This initiative not only alleviated hunger but also provided much-needed financial relief to laborers and low-income families, many of whom were struggling to cope with rising costs. By maintaining high standards for nutrition and hygiene, and fostering a strong sense of community and spiritual connection, ARF has once again demonstrated its capacity to bring about meaningful change in the lives of the underprivileged.

As ARF continues to expand its reach, this year’s successful Ramadan initiative highlights the foundation’s growing ability to combat hunger, reduce dependency, and uplift society as a whole. Through the tireless efforts of volunteers, generous donations, and effective community partnerships, ARF has set a new benchmark for humanitarian work, laying the groundwork for future projects aimed at empowering Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.

Apportion Relief Foundation (ARF) organized a Langar Khwana at the Urban Grocers, Branch 1, Township, Lahore, providing free daily meals from 12 PM to 2 PM throughout June and July 2023. The Langar Khwana was established to serve over 100 needy, homeless, and underprivileged individuals daily, offering meals in line with ARF’s mission to combat hunger and uplift impoverished communities.

Menu and Services: The menu at the Langar alternated between rice or roti with curry dishes such as Qorma, Kofta, and Chana, ensuring that those in need received warm, nutritious meals. This initiative provided essential support to those struggling with food insecurity, a core aspect of ARF’s ongoing fight against hunger.

Alignment with ARF’s Mission: The Langar Khwana initiative is closely aligned with ARF's vision of "Empowering society, reducing dependency, and improving lives”. The project demonstrated the foundation’s commitment to addressing poverty and hunger through Project Dastarkhwan, which aims to provide meals to underprivileged populations across Pakistan. By ensuring that no one in the vicinity of Township Lahore slept hungry, ARF upheld its core value of compassion and took practical steps towards eliminating hunger, one of its key objectives​.

Impact: This Langar Khwana significantly impacted the local community, offering dignity and relief to those struggling to meet their daily nutritional needs. By feeding over 100 people each day, the initiative not only alleviated hunger but also strengthened ARF's connection with vulnerable populations, reinforcing its role as a dependable provider of humanitarian relief.

Conclusion: The success of the Langar Khwana at Urban Grocers exemplifies ARF's commitment to its mission of providing essential resources to the needy. This initiative, along with the foundation’s other projects, continues to work towards creating a world where basic human rights such as access to nutritious food are available to all. ARF remains dedicated to its goal of uplifting society through compassion and sustained support, ensuring that marginalized communities are not left behind in times of economic struggle.

On April 16, 2023 (25th of Ramadan), Apportion Relief Foundation (ARF) organized an impactful Eid gift distribution program, delivering more than 100 high-quality Eid gift boxes to underprivileged and deserving individuals. The initiative was driven by ARF’s mission to eliminate poverty and empower society through compassion and support. The recipients included those living in extreme poverty, low-income earners, and families struggling to meet their basic needs despite having some form of income.

Program Outline:

1. Recitation of the Holy Quran: The event commenced with a heartfelt recitation of the Holy Quran, setting a spiritually uplifting tone for the proceedings.
2. Mehfil-e-Hamd-o-Naat: A beautiful session of Hamd and Naat was conducted, featuring Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Tahir and Mr. Mubashir. Their soulful recitations filled the atmosphere with peace and devotion.
3. Address and Dua: A motivational address emphasized the importance of giving, empathy, and caring for the less fortunate, followed by a collective Dua .
4. Gift Distribution: The core of the event saw the distribution of Eid gift boxes. Each box contained:
• Clothing: One Shalwar Qameez for men and one for women, made of high-quality fabric.
• Traditional Eid Items: A cone of Mehendi, a pack of Seviyan (traditional sweet), and bangles (Churiyan) to enhance the Eid festivities.
5. Iftar: The event concluded with the distribution of Iftar meals, spreading the joy of Ramadan and making the gathering even more meaningful.

Impact: The recipients were deeply grateful for the gesture, which not only met their practical needs but also brought them a sense of dignity and inclusion in the Eid celebrations. For many, the gifts were their only means of celebrating Eid with the joy and traditions that many take for granted. The event also helped foster a sense of community and shared compassion among attendees, volunteers, and donors alike.

ARF’s Vision in Action: This event aligns with ARF’s broader vision of "Empowering society, reducing dependency, and improving lives. The Eid gift distribution specifically targeted marginalized families struggling to afford basic Eid necessities. By providing these gifts, ARF demonstrated its commitment to its mission to "create a world where the impoverished and underprivileged can easily avail their basic human rights," including clothing, food, and joy in religious and cultural celebrations.

The foundation’s values of compassion, empowerment, and transparency were embodied in the event’s smooth execution and the high-quality items provided in the gift boxes. It was a moment of unity and shared responsibility, reminding all participants that the joy of Eid is multiplied when extended to others, especially those in need.

Conclusion: This event successfully highlighted the importance of giving back and supporting the underprivileged during religious celebrations. The work of ARF, along with the dedicated efforts of its volunteers, media, and operational teams, ensured the event ran smoothly and brought immense joy to its beneficiaries. The participation of esteemed nasheed reciters, the distribution of meaningful gifts, and the Iftar that followed, made it a memorable and heartwarming event for all involved.

Acknowledgements: A detailed report has been sent to all donors, recognizing their crucial role in making this event possible. ARF extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this noble cause.

Together, ARF and its supporters continue to work towards "a Pakistan where compassion, dignity, and opportunity are available to all."