Food and resources are crucial, Goings explained, but “the best way to break the poverty cycle is to mentor and form close relationships with people.”

One way the church tries to help people break the cycle is by offering instruction in managing money. It also provides a classroom for one of its members who teaches General Education Diploma, or GED, classes.

“It’s an up-and-down process,” Goings said, noting that change is especially hard for individuals who are a product of generational poverty. “It’s a lifestyle, and we all learn our culture as we grow up.”

Many churches also support other organizations such as Christian Center Rescue Ministries.

“Without the church, we wouldn’t survive,” said Jon Nelson, men’s program assistant at the Main Street ministry.

Nelson credits local churches for providing money, bus passes, meals, facilities for a Super Bowl party, chapel services, Christmas presents and more.

Stork says that Operation Love, which feeds hundreds of people each week, receives similar support from at least 30 area churches.

He said that an organization like Operation Love is, in fact, “the church reaching out.”

Habitat for Humanity and Second Harvest Food Bank are among the other Madison County not-for-profits that area churches support and that local parishioners serve.

“There’s a Scripture that says, ‘The poor will always be among you,’” said Ron Cole of St. Mary’s. “It’s our responsibility to serve those poor.”