A WORK IN PROGRESS — Joe Leonard of Columbus while working on a 3,224-square-foot mural on the south side of the Steubenville Urban Mission’s headquarters and food warehouse on North Sixth Street. The Steubenville native has volunteered his time to the display. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Wanting to give back to his hometown and expand on his artistic skills, a Columbus man has helped to raise awareness of a local charity’s efforts in a big way.

Joe Leonard said while he’s produced many oil paintings as a hobby, the 3,224-square-foot mural he’s painted on the south side of the Steubenville Urban Mission’s headquarters on North Sixth Street is far and away his largest work.

It’s also the first mural for Leonard, who said he looks forward to creating others in the future.

Leonard said he approached the Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh, the executive director, and others with the mission because he was aware of its efforts to help people in need and wanted to add murals to his repertoire.

A sales representative for a Columbus food retailer, he said, “I was very good at drawing from an early age.”

But the Steubenville Catholic Central High School graduate said he didn’t pursue art seriously until more recent years, when he enrolled at Laguna College of Art and Design in California.

“I’m happy that I came back to this later in life,” he said, adding he believes he’s developed a stronger work ethic needed to complete large projects.

And Leonard worked steadily for nearly two weeks to produce the large, colorful fruit basket now seen on the mission’s wall.

After viewing videos of mural painters at work on the Internet, he used a computer to develop a design for the mural that he presented for the approval of Arbaugh and other leaders at the mission.

“I’m really excited about the mural. We’re really blessed to have it,” Arbaugh said of the project.

Arbaugh said the timing was perfect as the mission was preparing to promote Hunger Action Month, a national observance aimed at encouraging everyone to support local food pantries and other endeavors to feed the hungry.

She said in addition to its usual feeding program, the mission has been offering a food drive toolkit with information about how anyone can hold a food drive to collect nonperishable food for the charity.

Arbaugh noted various groups, from churches and civic groups to schools and workplaces, can hold a food drive.

She said canned and boxed foods and bottled water and juice as well as monetary donations are needed not only for the mission’s regular food distributions but for special ones coming up for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Arbaugh said unfortunately, the mission can’t accept donations of meats and poultry, produce and other perishable items because it’s responsible for the freshness of the food it supplies.

But she said it has partnered with the Mid-Ohio Food Bank of Columbus and local grocers to provide fresh produce whenever possible.

Arbaugh said the mission serves 4,000 to 6,000 families each month and they are from Jefferson, Harrison, Carroll, Belmont, Brooke and Hancock counties.

She said about 30,133 households, including 70,880 individuals, have been served to date this year.

Each recipient participates once a week in distributions that are held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Arbaugh said recipients should bring a valid driver’s license or other state ID and proof of their income. They can call (740) 282-8010 for information.

She said the mission recently benefited from food drives held by local law enforcement agencies at local Kroger stores.

Arbaugh said in addition to raising awareness of the mission’s feeding program, the mural will serve as a helpful marker for those new to its location while also helping to beautify the neighborhood.

Leonard said he started on Aug. 29 and spent the first two days pressure washing and priming the wall that would serve as his canvas before using rollers and brushes to apply up to 30 gallons of paint to create the fruit basket.

Having completed it last Monday, he plans to return in the near future to apply a clear coat to protect it from the elements.

Working in the daytime, his efforts were interrupted only twice — on one day when it rained and another when he realized he needed a longer break.

Arbaugh said Leonard’s volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated.

“He did all of the work. We’re just the recipient of a wonderful gift,” she said.