Toktut

Toktut is a grassroots movement that was started by students and graduates of Bogaziçi University in Turkey. The movement was formed spontaneously within the framework of the spirit of mutual aid, and aims to address hunger and food insecurity in Turkey. Toktut has established an effective distribution network that works up to the capillaries of poor areas and has partnerships with municipalities, mukhtars, social assistance centres, and NGOs. The movement distributes fresh, healthy, and satisfying meals to those in need, and has provided 135,000 meals to date. Toktut has identified the real needy beneficiaries of the benefits together with local social workers and aims to develop innovative and creative outreach models to expand its impact and reach.

One of the unique aspects of Toktut is its focus on sustainability. Rather than simply providing food aid, the movement seeks to produce sustainable solutions to hunger by focusing on providing fresh, healthy, and satisfying meals. Toktut's 82 needs centres, 6 kitchens, 17 municipalities, and 12 NGOs all work together to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are reached. Toktut also engages with private sector companies as part of its corporate social responsibility projects and has attracted hundreds of volunteers, stakeholders, and individual supporters to help expand its impact and reach. The movement has grown from a team of 7 people to over 20 members and continues to expand its reach with the help of its dedicated volunteers and supporters.

TOKTUT is delivering emergency food packages to the regions affected by the February 6th earthquakes, to be distributed. It is also in the process of establishing a healthy and effective distribution of packaged meals to earthquake victims in the surrounding regions by transforming the surviving kitchens in Malatya and then Adiyaman into disaster kitchens.

Toktut is a solidarity movement that was started by students and graduates who crossed paths on the campus of Bogaziçi University. They were inspired by the practice of "suspended bread" and decided to bring it to the digital world as "suspended food." Their aim was to produce sustainable solutions to hunger, which is one of the most basic human needs.

In the spring of 2019, TOKTUT first moved to the long house due to COVID-19 and began sharing hot meals for seniors living alone during periods of closure. The founders' motivation was to ensure that the daily food needs of those in distress were met in order to keep them healthy. Since then, Toktut has continued to expand its scope and impact, working closely with municipalities, mukhtars, social assistance centres, and NGOs to establish an effective distribution network that reaches the most vulnerable communities. The movement remains committed to its original spirit of mutual aid and sustainable solutions to hunger.

Providing sustainable solutions to hunger: One of the primary goals of Toktut is to provide sustainable solutions to hunger by focusing on producing fresh, healthy, and satisfying meals. This means that Toktut aims to not only provide short-term relief but also establish long-term solutions that can help vulnerable communities access healthy food consistently.

Establishing an effective distribution network: Toktut aims to establish an effective distribution network that reaches the most vulnerable communities. The movement aims to work up to the capillaries of poor areas to ensure that those in need have access to food. In addition, Toktut also focuses on providing food to seniors living alone and those who have difficulty accessing food.

Working with municipalities, mukhtars, social assistance centres, and NGOs: To establish an effective distribution network, Toktut works closely with municipalities, mukhtars, social assistance centers, and NGOs to establish partnerships and cooperation. This enables Toktut to leverage the existing infrastructure and resources of these organizations to ensure that food distribution is carried out effectively.

Developing innovative and creative outreach models: Toktut aims to develop innovative and creative outreach models to expand the movement's impact and reach. The movement has experienced that small touches can create very meaningful positive effects on the field, and it seeks to develop outreach models that can help reach more vulnerable communities.

Promoting a spirit of mutual aid and encouraging contributions: Toktut promotes a spirit of mutual aid and encourages individuals and corporations to contribute to social assistance initiatives through volunteering, donations, and corporate social responsibility projects. This helps to expand the movement's impact and reach, and it also helps to build a culture of social responsibility and mutual aid.

Growing and expanding the movement: Finally, Toktut aims to grow and expand the movement through the contributions of its members, volunteers, and hardworking stakeholders. The movement continues to attract support from individuals and corporations, and it seeks to leverage this support to expand its reach and impact.

Distribution network: Toktut has established an effective distribution network that works up to the capillaries of poor areas, and has partnerships with municipalities, mukhtars, social assistance centers, and NGOs. Through this network, the movement has been able to distribute 135,000 meals to those in need.

Hunger relief: Toktut provides sustainable solutions to hunger by focusing on producing fresh, healthy, and satisfying meals. The movement has distributed a total of 70,000 hot meals to those in need during the pandemic.

Social impact: Toktut has identified the real needy beneficiaries of the benefits together with local social workers. By working closely with these workers, the movement has been able to have a positive social impact on the communities it serves.

Innovation and creativity: Toktut aims to develop innovative and creative outreach models to expand the movement's impact and reach. The movement has experienced that small touches can create very meaningful positive effects on the field, and it seeks to develop outreach models that can help reach more vulnerable communities.

Volunteer and stakeholder engagement: Toktut has grown day by day with its 20 members, hundreds of volunteer employees, and hardworking stakeholders. By promoting a spirit of mutual aid and encouraging contributions, the movement has been able to attract and engage volunteers and stakeholders to expand its impact and reach.