5LOAVES Non-Profit and Seasonal Roots were featured on CBS

Reporter Bree Sison with CBS6 visited last week to meet 5LOAVES founder Wonnease Rhone of Chesterfield and the team at Seasonal Roots. Each week, Wonnease visits the Seasonal Roots distribution hub and loads pallets of leftover fresh produce to deliver it to food deserts, low-income senior housing complexes and even makes direct deliveries to homebound seniors. “It’s an amazing cause that we are so happy to be a part of,” says Marie, Donation Coordinator at Seasonal Roots.

5LOAVES started during COVID-19 when Wonnease wanted to help the community and has expanded dramatically since then. In the beginning, Wonnease made sandwiches for her neighbors. Later, as a community leader and connector, she partnered with the Blessed Cookie, whose staff offered up their truck and their volunteers to pick-up from Seasonal Roots and deliver to those in need in the community. In the interview, Wonnease shared more about their mission. “We don’t just give out fresh produce. We also provide tips on the benefit of fresh produce and try to teach people that food is medicine.” Seasonal Roots is proud to be a part of this important program.

You can learn more, volunteer or donate to either organization below.

About 5LOAVES

5LOAVES is a non-profit tax-exempt organization that serves Richmond, Virginia and surrounding counties. Five Loaves’ goal is to alleviate hunger by distributing food, commodities, groceries and other assistance to sheltered, unsheltered, seniors, and economically disadvantaged families. In addition to this, we want to put an emphasis on providing fresh and healthy food to those who do not have access to it. With the help of local farmers and churches we believe we can help to make a change.

About The Blessed Cookie

The Blessed Cookie‘s programs and services connect individuals who are struggling with food insecurity to easily accessible resources and nutritious food options. Our free food pop-up delivery service helps supplement food needs, provide real connections with community groups and spreads the love of Christ. Through our network of community partners and volunteers, we receive bulk groceries, assemble individual bags for each recipient, and deliver them to individuals who have been referred or identified as being in need.  Our service areas include Chesterfield, North Chesterfield, Richmond, Henrico, Petersburg, Chester, Colonial Heights and King William.

For more information about Seasonal Roots, check out our website or FAQs here.