Those social service programs in my area are not run by churches. The town donates and runs them, or they get government funding. Yes, some churches have those, but they certainly do not uphold the community by themselves. I've never in my life seen a public health clinic run by a church.
And more often than not, the motivation is proselytization, not actually helping people in need (especially marginalized people).
Praying for souls. Yeah, that works.
Well, in CA Jewish, UCC, and Presbyterians run clinics. Others may do the same, but those I know. They'll again become important when Medicaid dies. What you know from one town I know from several STATES. Mainline Protestants do that work and more. We can't do w/o them filling service gaps.
Society should not be relying on religious groups for basic needs. It can be done without church money. The religious right is a large part of why Medicaid is being destroyed. They've been voting this way for decades. I don't think it's a good idea for those people to be the main support system.
Nobody said they were the main support. Religious Right NEVER is. It's the liberal Protestants and social justice Catholics that do the work of care. When the cuts hit, they will pick up what pieces they can. Learn discernment about who's who. One bias does NOT fit all.
Well "should" and a nickel will get you nowhere. They do a ton of work for their towns. Community gardens, clinics, counseling, hot food, overnight accommodation for homeless. Tough shit on "shouldn't". It's what they do esp. in times of aid cuts. Religious LEFT does it, MAJOR force behind ACA.