Numbers: Dec. 6, 2004

7,489 Number of hate crimes reported last year--27 more than in 2002. More than half were racially motivated, and a plurality were targeted at African Americans, according to the FBI

14 Number of hate crimes reported in 2003 that were murders. Six of the victims were gay men. Four were black

39.4 million Estimated number of people worldwide living with HIV, an increase of about 2.8 million since 2002

47% Percentage of HIV-positive adults who are women; 76% of those women are in sub-Saharan Africa

$43 billion Estimated cost of food that U.S. households waste annually. The average family of four tosses out $590 worth each year

15% Of all food wasted, the percentage thrown away before the expiration date

$28,000 Winning bid on eBay for a 10-year-old grilled-cheese sandwich said to bear the image of the Virgin Mary. Its new owner, an online casino called GoldenPalace.com plans to take the sandwich on a cross-country tour to raise money for charity

$61 Winning bid for a relatively fresh grilled-cheese sandwich said to bear the image of Hello Kitty, just one of the many Virgin Mary--sandwich spin-offs now available on eBay

Sources: FBI (2); UNAIDS/World Health Organization (2); University of Arizona (2); Boston Globe; eBay