Ringler and the nonprofit organization Project Jericho enlisted the help of 51 area teens to paint 2,580 square feet of vibrantly colored mural on the exterior walls of the food bank.
On Tuesday, July 7, the group unveiled their work of art, signaling the completion of 899 hours of work.
The mural shows vignettes narrating the food bank’s eight core values, including stewardship, respect, hospitality and compassion.
“It’s dropping a little beauty here on the corner where there’s not that much,” said Project Jericho coordinator Beth Dixon.
Project Jericho, an organization funded by Clark State Community College and the county’s Department of Job and Family Services, works with young people, exposing them to community service and the arts.
The collaboration between Second Harvest and Project Jericho was hatched last fall, and planning began in January with Project Jericho applying the first brush strokes in May.
Dixon said the time-consuming project provided a powerful outlet for the youths involved, some of whom worked 12-hour days on the wall.
“In the beginning it was a lot of tedious work and painting different shapes of beige on a beige building,” she said. “Then they finally started to get it. And I believe if kids feel pride once they’ll want to feel it again and that can change lives.”
Materials for the project, including paint and brushes, were donated by area businesses. Once finished, the building will feature flags, new lighting and flower urns.
Keith Williamson, Second Harvest’s regional director, said the mural surpassed his expectations.
“We started out with a blank, ugly building and the community rallied around this and we have a landmark now,” he said. “We had some great kids working on this. It’s something that will last for decades.”
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