The San Antonio Food Bank's Restaurant Weeks is back with fresh new dishes aimed at fighting hunger among kids.

Why it matters: When school is out for the summer, children can lose access to the meals they get at school. More than 22% of kids in Bexar County live in food-insecure households, per the latest estimates from Feeding America.

How it works: Restaurants feature special menu items made with produce from the San Antonio Food Bank's urban farms; $1 from each signature dish sold goes to the food bank.

• The proceeds will benefit the food bank's Summer Meals for Kids program.
• Each participating restaurant has committed to raising at least $300. Diners can choose to further contribute by scanning a QR code at the restaurant or donating online.

Zoom in: Participating restaurants and their offerings vary widely, from the Michelin-starred Isidore to the coffee shop Extra Fine. Several restaurants will sell cocktails as the signature item. Other dishes include:

• Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant & Market: eggplant omelet, pak-bet vegetable medley.
• The Jerk Shack: watermelon lemonade, choice of crispy fish tacos or butternut squash pasta with jerk chicken.

State of play: The food bank's meal program for kids offers free food at sites like libraries and community centers through Aug. 8.

• No registration or ID is required. Find hours and locations online.

What they're saying: "The response from our community was both powerful and inspiring" during last year's inaugural event, Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank CEO, said in a statement.

• "We are bringing it back this year because the need is still there."

The big picture: For the third year in a row, Texas is not participating in a federal program known as Summer EBT that helps families cover grocery bills.

• Local school districts still offer meals at no cost through a separate federally funded program. Find details for Northside ISD, North East ISD, San Antonio ISD and others online.

What's next: Restaurant Weeks runs through June 20.

San Antonians looking for a more active start to their Sundays will soon have a new option in the historic East Side: Run the Square.

Why it matters: The St. Paul Square-based run club offers another entry point for both seasoned athletes and beginners looking to connect with San Antonio's growing running community.

Zoom in: Run the Square debuts Sunday at 8:30am. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for warmups and course instructions.

• The club will offer three rotating route options each week: a 1-mile walking route and 2- and 3-mile running routes.
• All paces are welcome, and the routes are stroller- and pet-friendly.
• The inaugural run will include a post-run stretch session led by Neko Pilates.

What they're saying: "Run the Square is really about movement, community, and creating another reason for people to gather in St. Paul Square," Ananda Valles, co-founder and team lead of Run the Square, said in a statement.

• "Whether you're a runner, a walker, a beginner, or just looking for a fun way to start your Sunday, this experience is meant to be welcoming for anyone trying to get up and get active together in San Antonio."

Between the lines: Organizers designed the run club to serve as a lead-in to Sundays at the Square, which includes the weekly farmers market 9am–2pm.

What's next: Organizers plan to add 4- and 5-mile routes ahead of the San Antonio Marathon this fall, along with evening weekday runs and additional community partnerships.

🗳️ One of the lawyers who defended Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial yesterday endorsed Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate James Talarico, saying Paxton has "lost sight of his core mission" to represent Texans. (Texas Tribune)

💻 The Rendon Entrepreneurial Center recently opened in a former South Side post office, creating a hub for entrepreneurs that offers coworking space, business resources and more. (SA Report)

🛋️ Joybird, the online furniture brand known for customizable sofas and chairs, opened its first San Antonio-area showroom in Selma. (CultureMap SA)

Even if you put aside high gas prices for the moment, car ownership in Texas has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years.

Why it matters: For the majority of San Antonians, a car is necessary for getting to work and picking up groceries.

Driving the news: The average monthly car payment for a new vehicle in Texas is now $843, per new data from car research site Edmunds.

• For a used car, the average monthly payment in the state is $619.

Zoom in: The two biggest reasons for spiraling monthly payments are high sticker prices — with many popular models now thousands of dollars more than they were a few years ago — and higher interest rates.

The big picture: Add in gas prices, insurance and repairs, and the cost of owning a vehicle is up 47% since 2020, per Navy Federal Credit Union. That's faster than inflation and wages have risen.

The Children's Entrepreneur Night Market at Pearl is back this summer.

Why it matters: The event gives kids ages 5-17 a chance to flex their entrepreneurial muscles by creating, showcasing and selling their own products.

How it works: Participants can sell handmade items, store-bought goods, games, services, and, where permitted, food.

• Markets will be held June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19, 5-8pm.
• Registration is open through June 16 and costs $25. The fee includes a T-shirt and a free book.

What they're saying: "The Children's Entrepreneur Night Market gives young people in San Antonio a real space to test ideas, make things with their own hands, and learn what it feels like when their community shows up for them," Beth Smith, vice president of public relations and media for Pearl owner Silver Ventures, said in a statement.