Do The İftar Tables Established By Municipalities, Associations, Or Charitable Organizations Or The Foods Distributed At Foodbanks İn The Month Of Ramadan Substitute For Zakat And Sadaqah Al-Fitr?

Do the iftar tables established by municipalities, associations, or charitable organizations or the foods distributed at foodbanks in the month of Ramadan substitute for zakat and sadaqah al-fitr?

Food for iftar that has been prepared and distributed by municipalities or charitable organizations does not substitute for zakat. This is because, there is no tamlik (transfer of the ownership of zakat to the poor), which is a condition of validity for zakat, and there are many people among those who eat the fast-breaking meal for whom it is not permissible to give zakat. However, if the prepared food is delivered to the poor with the intention of zakat, it becomes zakat.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA