Powhatan, VA

What Powhatan, VA does

Backpacks of Love, Inc. (BPOL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 3043 Lower Hill Road, Powhatan, Virginia, founded in 2011 by Bobby Fulcher to address weekend childhood food insecurity. The organization's core program delivers weekly backpacks, each containing six meals, to school-age children in Central Virginia through direct partnerships with public school districts in nine counties and cities: Powhatan, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Buckingham, Amelia, Cumberland and the City of Hopewell. Schools identify eligible children (including McKinney-Vento students facing housing instability) and discreetly distribute the bags on Fridays, preserving dignity while bridging the gap between weekday school meals and weekend nutrition. As of 2026 the organization reports having delivered over 1,000,000 backpacks and 999,998+ meals cumulatively.

The organization funds itself entirely through philanthropic channels. Revenue streams include individual monetary donations (one-time gifts of $10-$250+, and a recurring "Backpack for a Year" product at $160 per child covering the full school year), corporate sponsorships from local and national companies (Cobb Technologies, Aerations Plus, McKesson, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Costco, Wegmans, Aldi, Publix, and others), in-kind food donations collected through a 24/7 drop-off site and seasonal drives (such as the Peanut Butter Drive), and event-based fundraising led by the 15th Annual Golf Classic at The Foundry Golf Club. A volunteer program coordinates 13 roles including packing, delivery, food drives, and event support, with scheduling managed through Microsoft Bookings.

The leadership team comprises Executive Director Tracy Guion (with prior State Department and Chemonics International experience), Founder Bobby Fulcher, President Evan Davis (Regional Sales Manager at Cobb Technologies), Vice President Michael Rota (ex-Whitsons Culinary Group/Nestlé Health Science), Secretary Brandy Brown (Dunlap Law), Treasurer Lisa Turner (retired Altria Director of Operations Logistics & Strategy), and an additional board drawing from KPMG, United Bank, Humana, Pixelstrike Creative, and Liz Moore & Associates. Day-to-day operations run with 1-10 employees and a deeply volunteer-powered model.

Name

Powhatan, VA

Legal name

Backpacks of Love, Inc.

Website

https://backpacksoflove.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Backpacks of Love is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 in Powhatan, Virginia, that delivers weekly weekend food backpacks containing six meals to school-age children experiencing food insecurity across nine Central Virginia counties and cities through direct public-school partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hunger Relief Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

akta.pro primary industry

School Feeding & Child Nutrition Programs (BPADAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Child Nutrition & Meal Programs (CACFP/Snack Programs) (EDACAMAA), School Feeding & Social Protection Partnerships (Conditional Cash Transfers, etc.) (EDADALAL), Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

Keywords

• Weekend food assistance
• Childhood hunger programs
• School food partnerships
• Community food distribution
• Nonprofit hunger relief

Headquarters

HQ city

Powhatan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Monetary Donations: Individual donors contribute funds through the organization's website, with options to Fill a Backpack (one-time or recurring donations from $10 to $250+) or provide a Backpack for a Year ($160 to feed one child for the entire school year).
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses and corporations provide financial support and in-kind donations, appearing on the organization's Community Partners page with logos and contact information.
3. Food Donations: The organization accepts food donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups, which are used directly for packing weekend backpacks for children.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual Golf Classic tournament and other community events generate revenue through player registrations, sponsorships, and donations. The 15th Annual Golf Classic offers various sponsorship tiers from $500 to $10,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Backpacks of Love packs and delivers weekend food backpacks containing six meals each to school-age children experiencing food insecurity in Central Virginia. The organization works directly with school administrations in nine counties and cities to identify eligible students and ensure discreet, dignified delivery of nutritious food items through Friday distribution channels. Operations are funded entirely through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, food donations, and event-based fundraising.

Product overview

Backpacks of Love is a nonprofit charitable organization offering food assistance programs to school-age children in Central Virginia. The organization operates a single unified program centered on providing weekend food backpacks, supplemented by two primary donation products (Fill a Backpack for one-time donations and Backpack for a Year for recurring school-year support), community volunteer programs, annual fundraising events including the Golf Classic, and seasonal food drives like the Peanut Butter Drive. The programs work in coordination with local school districts across nine Virginia counties/cities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekend Food Backpack Program Core service providing weekly backpacks containing six nutritious meals to school-age children experiencing food insecurity in Central Virginia. Backpacks are delivered directly to partner schools across nine counties and cities for discreet Friday distribution to identified students, including McKinney-Vento students facing housing instability.
• Fill a Backpack One-time or recurring monthly donation product offering supporters the ability to fund a weekend food backpack for a hungry child in Central Virginia. Donation tiers range from $10 to $250+ with custom amounts available.
• Backpack for a Year Recurring donation product where contributors fund an entire school year of weekend food for one child at $160, providing six meals per weekend throughout the school year. Multiples available (2 or 3 backpacks for the year).

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000,000+ backpacks delivered since 2011
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cobb TechnologiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVP of Marketing Noah Maphis serves on the BPOL board. Cobb Technologies coordinates monthly packing and delivery efforts for students in Henrico and Hanover counties from their corporate headquarters.
• Aerations Plus Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder Bobby Fulcher operates Aerations Plus and is the Founder of Backpacks of Love. Serves as a community partner with direct ties to the organization.
• Pixelstrike CreativecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner and Creative Director Juliette Oliva and Co-owner Louise Strickland serve on the BPOL board, providing marketing, social media, and web design services.
• Henrico County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district receiving weekly backpack deliveries for McKinney-Vento students facing food insecurity.
• Cumberland County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district receiving weekly backpack deliveries.
• City of Hopewell SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district receiving weekly backpack deliveries for high school and other students.
• Goochland County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district receiving weekly backpack deliveries.
• Powhatan County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal partner school district. BPOL began delivering weekly packs to Pocahontas Elementary in October 2011. Continues as core distribution partner.
• Let's RoamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated scavenger hunt vouchers to support BPOL's fundraising efforts.
• Ruff Canine ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Amber Farrell organized Santa Paws fundraiser event. Insight Merchant Solutions sponsored the event.
• Rams PetroleumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeam volunteers for food packing and made generous donations. Stepped up during food drive emergency.
• Peace Properties / Liz Moore & AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate team helped with holiday Peanut Butter Drive. Realtor Brian Taylor and broker Jo Lewis (who also serves on BPOL board) participated.
• Virginia Association of Mortgage Professionals (VAM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on community partners page. Located at 130 Wylderose Drive, Midlothian, VA.
• Napier ERAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate company listed as community sponsor. Located at 14361 Sommerville Ct.
• Abilene MotorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAuto dealership listed as community sponsor. Located at 1700 Willis Rd, Richmond, VA.
• Crawlspace MedicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome services company listed as community sponsor. Located at 3613 Saunders Avenue, Richmond, VA.
• Powhatan TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media/publishing company as community sponsor. Located at 3229 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, VA.
• Coca Cola ConsolidatedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• McKessonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• CostcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• PublixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• WegmansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• LidlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• Big LotsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• AldiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• Mannakin Episcopal ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity/church sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.
• Emmaus ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity/church sponsor listed in additional sponsors section.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Capital Area Food Bank: Regional food bank serving the greater Washington D.C. / Northern Virginia area; adjacent to Backpacks of Love's Central Virginia footprint and a potential wholesale supplier, partner, or referral channel for the same school-age demographic.
• God's Love We Deliver: New York-based nonprofit that cooks and home-delivers medically tailored meals; comparable volunteer-and-donation-supported meal delivery model to chronically hungry individuals, though with a different beneficiary profile.

Broad incumbents

• Meals on Wheels America: National nonprofit network delivering meals to vulnerable populations; comparable in volunteer-powered, donation-funded meal delivery model, though focused on seniors rather than school-age children.
• No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength): National campaign focused on ending childhood hunger through school meals, summer feeding, and afterschool programs. Operates at the policy and national-grant layer that funnels dollars toward regional operators like Backpacks of Love.
• Feeding America (BackPack Program): The largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit, operating a BackPack Program line of business specifically for school-age children that competes for the same donor and partner-school mindshare as Backpacks of Love, alongside a far broader food-bank network.
• Action Against Hunger: International humanitarian organization addressing child malnutrition and food insecurity at scale; adjacent thematically as a childhood-hunger nonprofit, though operating globally rather than at the U.S. community level.

Direct peers

• Gleaners Community Food Bank: Regional food bank with a backpack/school pantry program serving food-insecure students in its service area; directly comparable as a community food service nonprofit with school-channel distribution.
• FeedMore (Central Virginia): Central Virginia's regional food bank serving the same Richmond-area counties as Backpacks of Love. Operates a broader hunger-relief portfolio but competes for the same donor and corporate-sponsor dollars in the local market.
• Blessings in a Backpack: National nonprofit operating the most directly comparable model — weekend food backpacks for food-insecure school-age children delivered via school partnerships. Operates at much larger scale across many states but uses the identical school-channel distribution approach.
• Food for Others: Regional food bank in Northern Virginia operating food pantry and distribution programs for low-income families — comparable in scale and operational model as a community-based nonprofit distributing food through local partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/backpacksofloveinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/backpacks-of-love
• Instagraminstagram.com/backpacksoflovegreaterrichmond

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Powhatan, VA