Posted June 23, 2014

Children from the West Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia spend part of their summer at St. Athanasius School where they receive healthy meals and learn how to become peacemakers in their community. Msgr. Daniel Sullivan led the Blessing of the Summer event June 18 at the school, where the Summer Meals Program is run by archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Jeremiah Watson enjoys his lunch at the Blessing of the Summer event June 18 at St. Athanasius School in Philadelphia, part of a federal program operated locally by Nutritional Development Services. (Sarah Webb)

  • Madison Simpson enjoys the salad that was part of her lunch from NDS.

  • Skylar Jones, Khaliyah Bosman and Nykinya Foxworth are happy to enjoy a healthy meal together on a summer day at St. Athanasius.

  • Anne Ayella of Nutritional Development Services helps Ninian Unachukwu open his lunch.

  • Talasi Henderson helps open a packet of ketchup for a younger child.

  • Boys and girls at St. Athanasius School enjoy their lunch provided by Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

  • Older teenagers help hand out healthy lunches and lead activities for the children in the program.

  • From left, Ameerah Bell, Kamora Eskridge, Madison Simpson and Breyona Harris-Konata proudly show off their new necklaces to help remind them of peace this summer.

  • The St. Athanasius children present a thank-you card to Msgr. Daniel Sullivan, who led prayers for the Blessing of the Summer event.

  • The children made and signed a thank-you card for Msgr. Sullivan.

  • Ameerah Bell puts on her peace necklace.

  • Adrian Unachukwu prays the peace prayer during the Blessing of the Summer event.

  • Msgr. Daniel Sullivan, board chairman of NDS, leads the children in a peace prayer June 18 at St. Athanasius School in Philadelphia.