Storyline 24-hour food banks benefit nearly 500,000 people in S China In south China's Shenzhen city, 24-hour food bank kiosks provide fresh fruit and vegetables, bread and other items to those most in need, in a discrete and anonymous way. First launched in 2022, the refrigerated vending machines store surplus or nearly-expired fresh food donated by local businesses like supermarkets and hotels. Users say one of the best features about the system is that they can obtain food without the potential embarrassment of a face-to-face exchange at a food bank. Sanitation worker: "There are stable food, fruit and vegetable, you can choose what you want. I think Shenzhen is a friendly city, especially for our migrant workers." Registered members use the iShenzhen app to reserve their items every day before 8 pm. After that, any remaining food becomes available to all citizens, to guarantee daily turnover and to minimize waste. Sun Yue, director of operation, Shenzhen Food Bank: "The food bank gives a priority to residents who are eligible for subsistence allowances, people with disabilities and migrant workers and so on." In the three years since it began operating, the program has distributed around 500,000 portions of food. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]