LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: (L-R) Maria Rose Belding and Jaha Dukureh attend the 17th Annual L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration at The Ebell of Los Angeles on December 01, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth)

A Pella High School graduate is receiving national attention for work in fighting hunger. Maria-Rose Belding accepted the 2022 Karen T. Fondu Impact Prize from L’Oréal Paris. L‘Oreal gives this award annually to the previous Woman of Worth honoree they believe to have grown her work’s legacy and overall effect on the world. Belding is the youngest honoree in the prize’s history. Since Belding co-founded the MEANS Database — an online platform connecting those with excess food, like grocery stores, co-ops, and restaurants, with nearby emergency food providers who serve those in need, the group has provided more than 6 million pounds of food and fresh meals since 2015; 1.8 million of which this year.