As the regional hub for 18 other churches and organizations, the ministry feeds 525 families each month. To guard against fraud, the Gordianis developed a strict identification system. Applicants are interviewed and, if accepted into the program, given a laminated card bearing their photograph. Only the pictured person can receive food. One Saturday a month the recipient attends a chapel service, then goes through the warehouse with a shopping cart, leaving with hundreds of dollars' worth of groceries.
Food is distributed according to family size.
Jalene Enterrios, a single mother, was new to Covina Assembly when she lost her job nearly two years ago. A native of Puerto Rico, she had not been in the country long enough to qualify for government unemployment benefits. I was a fairly new Christian and just learning to lean on God for provision. Enterrios received food for eight months, then began volunteering. She now speaks in the chapel services.