Lebanon's worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war has forced thousands into a new reality this Ramadan. Gone are the days of plentiful Iftars and expensive celebrations once boundless in the formerly wealthy Levantine nation. Instead, fasting families must reckon with a newfound challenge of how to even afford an Iftar dinner. 

"Before, we could buy oil, medicine, yoghurt, meat, chicken and milk for my kids and have something left over," 42-year-old Khadija told CNN. 

"Now, we can barely afford anything."

In Lebanon, an economic crisis triggered by political instability and mass anti-corruption protests has caused the local currency to depreciate by over 80 percent, sending over half the country into unemployment and poverty. The average salary is now the equivalent of $40, or 500,000 LBP. 

But prices of basic staples have also soared. Five kilos of chicken costs 100,000 LBP. 

"I couldn't feed (my baby) yesterday," Khadija said.

"It's ok though. I'd prefer for my kids to get used to not having (food) than having it,"

Many, like Khadija, are forced to rely on donations or leftovers. 

But others are not as fortunate, and must turn to searching dumpsters to ensure they- or their children- don't go hungry for Iftar.

Ahmad, a Syrian refugee, now jobless in Beirut, is forced to rummage through garbage to keep food on the table for himself, his two children, his wife, and his mother. 

"Without this trash we will die of starvation," he says. 

"Because of the rise in prices, we eat and drink from the garbage. There are so many people like me. We do what we do so that we don't have to beg."