When the Ottomans ruled, during Ramadhan, the rich people would visit the poor neighbourhoods and find a shop. They would ask for the debt notebook and pay off the debts of the poor. 

And when the Ottoman era died down, their heritage and generosity towards the poor continued.  

When i went to Istanbul, just a few years back, there was a man who told me that during the nights of Ramadhan, it was in their Turkish nature to place money onto the many ledges of the beautiful Blue Mosque and anyone who needed this money to support their families were free to take however much they wished.