Auction for a Power Lunch With Warren Buffett

SAN FRANCISCO, June 15, 2009 — It’s a tough economy – all the more reason to have lunch with one of the most successful investors of all time – Warren Buffett. The Annual Warren Buffett Lunch Charity Auction listed on eBay, benefits San Francisco’s Glide Foundation. Bidding runs June 21st at 7:00 p.m. PDT, through June 26 at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

For ten years, Mr. Buffett has generously offered a power lunch to benefit the Glide Foundation. Winning bids have ranged from $18,000 to last year’s $2.1 million paid by Zhao Danyang of Pureheart China Growth Investment Fund – a record-making charity bid for eBay.

“Mr. Buffett’s generosity and long-time commitment to Glide’s work is amazing,” said Reverend Cecil Williams, Glide’s founder. “These times are especially hard for people at the lowest income levels. We put 100% of the auction proceeds to provide food, clothes, affordable housing, free healthcare and more to those who need it most.”

This year’s winning bidder will be able to bring seven friends to the lunch. The bidding starts at $25,000 and all bidders must be pre-qualified through Kompolt, specialists in Cause Branded Social Media. To pre-qualify, visit: www.GlideLunchWithWarrenBuffett.com. For more information about Kompolt, go to: www.kompolt.com.

The lunch will be listed through eBay Giving Works at www.GlideLunchWithWarrenBuffett.com and hosted in New York by Smith & Wollensky, called “the steakhouse to end all arguments” by the New York Times. eBay Giving Works harnesses the power of its 88 million active community members to be a force for good by empowering them to buy and sell items that support their favorite nonprofit. Alan Stillman, founder of Smith & Wollensky, has generously donated $10,000 to Glide for the privilege of hosting the lunch.

Located in the Tenderloin, one of San Francisco's harshest urban environments, Glide Foundation is an oasis that has served the poor and disenfranchised for nearly 45 years. From serving over 750,000 meals a year, to operating a medical clinic, to providing affordable housing, to youth job training, to offering weekly spiritual celebrations at Glide Church, and much more – Glide touches the lives of many people.

For information about the auction, call 415.674.6072 or email tthorpe@glide.org. For information about Glide, visit www.Glide.org.