Hunger Facts
An estimated 49 million Americans are food insecure. Of those 49 million, almost 17 million are children and 5 million are seniors. Last year, over 37 million people used a Food Bank for emergency food assistance.
| San Antonio Food Bank and the San Antonio Surs |
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Edmund Tijerina: Garza won't sport Pistons shirt Talk about civic pride on the line. Mayor Ed Garza and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick have made the traditional wager on the outcome of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and Pistons. Garza is putting up a week's salary to the charity of Kilpatrick's choice, a mayoral proclamation that Detroit is the "premier automotive manufacturing city in the U.S." and dinner for two at Biga on the Banks. Kilpatrick is risking a week's salary to Garza's designated charity (the San Antonio Food Bank), a proclamation that San Antonio is the premier auto city and dinner for two at a new jazz supper club — plus a basket of products from Detroit. The two mayors made their wager live Wednesday on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" morning show. Kilpatrick also said he would even wear a Spurs jersey for a day if they win. Garza demurred. Good thing, because if the series goes past four games, Mayor-elect Phil Hardberger is going to collect. Or, if by some tragedy, pay up. Tim Griffin: Beyond The Game Outgoing San Antonio mayor Ed Garza might have a future in something besides politics. Garza's public infatuation with soccer during the past few months has been called into question by many. Heck, it's even gotten him pictured on the editorial page of this newspaper wearing his jersey and cleats. But one of his last public acts also was one of his most impressive. Garza arranged a bet with Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on the outcome of the series. The traditional dinners were part of it, along with a proclamation of the winner as the premier automotive manufacturing city in the United States. But Garza also arranged for a week of his salary to be matched against a week of Kilpatrick's salary on the outcome. If the Spurs win, the money goes to the San Antonio Food Bank. If the Pistons win, it goes to a charity of Kilpatrick's choice. Little did the Detroit mayor know that Garza's weekly salary as mayor is $50, compared with the $158,400 yearly stipend (that comes to about $3,046 per week) for his Detroit counterpart. That's right. $50. Or about the cost of four of those "I Love Tony" T-shirts available around town. The voters of San Antonio should come away from this with a whole new appreciation of Hizzoner. And I wish he would come renegotiate my mortgage payment for me as soon as he leaves office.
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