At the end of World War II the British government had to nationalize the health care industry in order to provide health care services to its people because its economy was so shattered that the British government was the only organization that could borrow the amount of money necessary to rebuild the private sector economy.
So, yes, during times of economic emergency, I do think the government has the duty to provide what aid it needs to to its people to ensure their survival, health, and wellness.
Now is it like that nationwide here in the U.S. right now? No. Not nationwide.
But it is like that in a lot of areas hit hard by the Great Recession going on.
BBC News - Panorama - America's homeless resort to tent cities
Lack of the Safety Net: Homelessness and America's Tent Cities - The Takeaway
So in areas hit that hard and that bad, yes, I do think the government has the duty to ensure people get the food they need, especially when the only reason why they don't have an opportunity for that food is because of someone else's religious beliefs.