Garage Day Surabaya 2026: A Charity Drive for Low-Income Families
Ramadan 1447 AH brings a different atmosphere for thousands of low-income families in the City of Heroes. The Surabaya City Government (Pemkot Surabaya) together with the Gabungan Organisasi Wanita (GOW) has again held the sharing programme through the ‘Garage Day’ 2026. Entering its fourth year, the social activity has shown significant development in both participation and the amount of aid distributed. According to data from the Surabaya Social Services Agency (Dinsos), 7,250 low-income families benefited this year, a substantial rise from around 5,000 families in 2025. Not only is the number of recipients higher, the volume of aid collected has also increased. A total of 38,163 items of usable goods and essential needs were gathered through collaboration with various parties.
Each family received five types of items packaged into relief parcels, ranging from food and beverages such as canned bread and syrup, clothing, to staple food packs consisting of rice, cooking oil, sugar, and instant noodles. In addition, the committee provided other needs, such as mukena (women’s prayer garments), kitchen equipment, and electronics, distributed based on the recipients’ categories of need.
Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi stated that Garage Day is not merely a sharing activity but also a means to foster social care values within society. He noted that the programme initiated by the city government and GOW has consistently been held every Ramadan for the last four years.
“This GOW activity has been consistently carried out for four consecutive years, especially during Ramadan. We invite anyone with surplus to join in giving. This year we collected aid for 7,250 recipients, totaling about 38,163 items. Each person receives five essential items,” Eri said in a written statement on Friday (6 March 2026).
He delivered the remarks during the Garage Day opening at the GOW Surabaya Office on Monday (2 March 2026). Eri emphasised that Surabaya’s strength lies not only in physical development or infrastructure but also in the spirit of solidarity and social concern that grows among its people. He appreciated Surabaya residents who voluntarily contribute to the sharing activity.
“This shows that Surabaya continues to cultivate a spirit of sharing. Without being asked or named, the people have the awareness to contribute. Thank you, Surabaya residents, for understanding the importance of sharing. If we persist in spreading goodness, people will understand the purpose,” he said.
The Garage Day implementation also serves as an example of cross-sector collaboration in social activities. In this event, the city government and GOW Surabaya partnered with various parties, including PT Wings Surya (Wings Group), She Radio Surabaya, BPR Artha Surya Utama, Waron Hospital, PT RPH Surya, and RSUD dr. Soewandhi.
In addition to distributing goods, the activities included free health check-ups for residents and a city-wide market to be held simultaneously in 31 districts. The programme aims to help people obtain essential needs at affordable prices while stabilising food prices during Ramadan 2026.
“This collaboration is conducted across districts through the Market, with two main objectives. First, to maintain price stability and prevent high inflation. Second, to ensure Surabaya residents can meet their needs and welcome Eid al-Fitr with happiness,” he added.
Meanwhile, Rini Indriyani, Chair of GOW Surabaya, confirmed that all aid distributed has gone through data collection and verification to ensure it reaches the right recipients. She noted that the yearly increase in aid demonstrates the growing spirit of mutual aid and social care within the community.
“If last year we distributed 5,000 gowns, this year it rose to 7,250 gowns for the community. This increase is concrete proof of the growing caring and sharing spirit within the community,” she explained.
She also explained that some types of assistance are prioritised for the most vulnerable groups, such as those in the extreme poor category and the elderly. The committee specifically allocated aid in the form of electronics and premium rice for these groups after recipient data was verified.
“Electronics and 5 kilograms of rice are prioritized for the extreme poor and the elderly who have been previously verified. All parcels have been calculated and packaged according to the recipients’ categories,” she added.
Meanwhile, Relita Wulandari, Chair of the Garage Day 2026 Organising Committee, stressed that consistency is a key factor in the programme’s continued growth and broad support from the community and partners.
“Garage Day 2026 carries the theme ‘Sharing with Others to Welcome a Ramadan Blessed by Allah’. For us, this theme is not just a slogan but a commitment expressed through tangible work and consistency over four years,” Relita said.
Through ongoing collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector, Relita hopes Garage Day can continue to be a space of togetherness while delivering real benefits to the people. “We want to ensure that Ramadan in Surabaya remains a time of togetherness, where care is truly felt by those in need,” she concluded.