Bella Eberhart Young Wellington Resident Bella Eberhart Enjoys Giving Back To The Community
By Mike May
To say that 12-year-old Wellington resident Bella Eberhart is food-motivated is an understatement — and the lives of many residents of Wellington and Palm Beach County are better for it. While Eberhart understands the importance of a good meal, she is more interested in making sure that others are well fed and well looked after, too.
For someone so young, Eberhart acts far older than her years. “Community service has always been a big priority to me, especially food charities,” she said.
As a result of her charitable mindset, Eberhart has been recognized by Hormel Foods for one of its 10 Under 20 Food Heroes Awards. On May 29, Eberhart was informed that she was being honored by Hormel for her work supporting food charities and for her outstanding contributions to her community and beyond.
Last month, Eberhart and the nine other award recipients visited Hormel Foods’ global headquarters in Austin, Minnesota, where the food giant celebrated those 10 changemakers by connecting them with industry leaders in order for them to share their stories. As a further form of encouragement, Hormel provided each of them with a financial grant of $2,500 to further support their initiatives back at home. Eberhart plans to give her grant money to the Quantum House in West Palm Beach, a caring and supportive home that lessens the burden for families whose children are receiving treatment for a serious medical condition.
For the first 12 years of her life, Eberhart’s charitable work has come in many forms. One of her first unselfish endeavors has been to use her birthday to put the spotlight on others in need. All her life, Eberhart and her parents, Stefani and Nicholas, have used Bella’s birthday to help other organizations in need of assistance. She has been giving back since her first birthday through these “Parties with a Purpose.”
Ever since she was old enough, Eberhart has always picked a charity and asked her friends to support it in her name rather than buy a birthday gift. Eberhart often provided a list of charities that have been and remain important to her. The list includes Quantum House, Chasing a Dream Foundation, the Lord’s Place and Pet Haven Rescue, among others.
Her charitable giving took a different direction in 2023 when she coordinated the first student-run community service club at her middle school, the Greene School in West Palm Beach. There, she organized a series of successful “serve-together” opportunities for her and fellow students. She led various initiatives, which included a school-based food drive, sorting non-perishable items at the Palm Beach County Food Bank, gleaning fresh produce at a local farm with CROS Ministries, cooking for Quantum House families and implementing a food distribution day with Restoration Bridge International.
Right now, Eberhart is in the process of founding “Be3 Powerful,” a nonprofit group that will connect individuals and families of “all ages, stages and abilities” with service opportunities in their communities.
In addition to her charitable endeavors, Eberhart is busy at school as co-president of the Junior National Honor Society and president of her school’s speech and debate team. Outside school, she’s a member of an aerospace club called Wolfpack.
When she has a spare moment, Eberhart enjoys playing tennis, volleyball and running track & field.
As for her appreciation of a good meal, one of her favorite places to go for dinner is Agliolio, an Italian restaurant in Wellington that happens to be owned and operated by her parents. “My favorite dish is chicken parmigiana,” she said.
Eberhart has already amassed more than 300 community service hours since she started logging them in middle school. As she continues to lead by example with her charitable endeavors, the lives of many area residents will be better for it.
