The founder of Food for Life Vrindavan (FFLV), Pietro Paolinelli, was born in Italy in 1954. As a young man, he became the disciple of a guru who gave him the name Rupa Raghunath Dasa. ‘Rupa’, as he is called by his friends and colleagues, has started living in Vrindavan more than 20 years ago. He dedicated his life to the service of the children of Vrindavan and inspired others to donate their money and time for this noble cause.

Rupa Raghunath Dasa had the vision, skills, and persistence to develop FFLV from a food distribution program into an organization that seeks long-lasting solutions and effectively helps to improve all areas of life in Vrindavan. Now, director of a large organization, Rupa works tirelessly & plays a hands-on role in the day-to-day running of the programs including food distribution. He also spends time traveling overseas, raising awareness about the work of FFLV, and establishing relationships with businesses and individuals interested in supporting the children of Vrindavan.