welfare system called the Five Guarantees (五保) if you want to look into it further. as far as I understand it if you qualify for the Three Withouts (三无): without livelihood source, without the ability to work, and without family support then the state guarantees basic food, clothing, housing, medical care, and burial expenses

The issue with food banks and food programs is that they often do little to address the underlying cause, which is that housing is not a guaranteed right. Difficult to store stuff long term if you have nowhere to store it. Fresh shit is basically right out.

The other thing is that most, if not all, of these private organizations are tied to religious organizations, most of which (Unitarian Universalists ftw here) make you attend a service or join a group in order to have basic access to these things. Hell around here, even the domestic abuse shelters are all run by Christian fundamentalist groups, and while it is good that someone is doing it, they actively turn away trans survivors because 'they are actually men'.

The issue is that it isn't a right. We give up so much to the state in terms of freedom and we don't even get the right to the basic security of goods.

That isn't to say that China doesn't have its own issues, but in giving up some of your freedoms your are guaranteed some level of basic security.

It varies wildly. Nanjie Cun, for example, has an average monthly salary of $32 USD, but all housing, utilities, healthcare, education, public transport, basic furniture (tv, microwave, beds, chairs) are provided for free for all residents of all ages. Also, there's a stipend of free food: rice, flour, some vegetables and some seasonings. Beyond that, there are communal canteens which is under $0.40 for a meal, or free for pensioners.

But you also have other areas of the country where you only get free food and housing if you're unable to work or in an area without jobs.