粥厂是中国明清时期设立的一种民间赈济机构，早期多为临时性设置，是为了应对灾荒时大量灾民的出现。后来随着城市化的发展，城市中出现了大量找不到工作的流民，因而在大城市如天津、北京等地的繁华地带或宗教寺庙，逐渐有了常设机构。在中国古代及其有限的社会事业中，粥厂扮演了十分重要的角色。

粥厂的经费既有政府拨款，也有民间捐助，包括由宗教机构开设。官办粥厂的保障水平很低，这跟当时社会保障事业的基本目标是相关的：即赈济事业仅以保证饥民灾民不闹事造反为目标。

A soup kitchen, meal center, or food kitchen is a place where food is offered to the hungry for free or at a below market price. Frequently located in lower-income neighborhoods, they are often staffed by volunteer organizations, such as church or community groups. Soup kitchens sometimes obtain food from a food bank for free or at a low price, because they are considered a charity, which makes it easier for them to feed the many people who require their services.