Gesu School was honored to welcome Senator Bob Casey Jr. back to the halls where he tried his hand at teaching 31 years ago. Senator Casey visited the school to raise awarness of the Summer Food Service Program. To ensure they don't go hungry during the summer months, more than 147,000 Philadelphia children are eligible to receive free meals while school is out.

The Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia providse Gesu School's meal program both during the school year and in the summer months. Children who participate in Gesu's Youngest Scholars, Gesu's Summer School and Camp, and others from the neighborhood recieve free breakfast and lunch through the program over the summer break. Today's menu included popcorn chicken, Pennsylvania Dutch potato salad, an apple, Wango Mango vegetable juice and chocolate milk.

Senator Casey distributed meals and chatted with the students during his visit. On hand to emphasize the importance of the summer meals were Anne Ayella, the Associate Director of the Nutritional Development Services, Laura Wall, Executive Director of the Coalition Against Hunger and Susan Slawson, First Deputy of Recreation and Programs for the City of Philadelphia.

After speaking with the students and the press, Senator Casey took a brief tour of the school. Senator Casey taught 5th grade and coached basketball at Gesu School during his year of service in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. On his tour of the school, he visited his old classroom and recalled a shooting across the street on his first day of teaching. He also visited the Youngest Scholars Program and heard explainations from the students about the rainforest they're building on the 3rd floor.