Warren Buffett for GLIDE

Warren Buffett for GLIDE
Guests watched the auction bidding live on eBay
Warren Buffett for GLIDE
Back: Jo Rodriguez, Douglas Wirnowski, Devin Wenig, Kari Ramirez, Denise Lamott; Front: Janice Mirikitani, Cecil Williams, Ali Joseph, Dori Caminong

Lunch with legendary investor Warren Buffett became the most expensive individual charity item ever sold on eBay on June 10, 2016. An anonymous bidder agreed to pay $3,456,789 for a private lunch with the billionaire. One hundred percent of the auction proceeds go to GLIDE Foundation in support of its human service programs for San Francisco’s homeless, poor and most vulnerable residents. Over 17 years, Warren Buffett has raised some $24 million for GLIDE by donating a power lunch each year. The record price for the lunch this year matches the amount paid by an anonymous bidder in 2012.

Reverend Cecil Williams, Janice Mirikitani, Rita Shimmin, Kristen Growney Yamamoto, and Reverend Karen Oliveto hosted a GLIDE family gathering at San Francisco restaurant Dirty Water to watch the excitement in the final moments of the auction countdown. The auction was live on eBay from June 3rd through June 10th at 7:30PM (PDT).

Scenes from the #PowerOfOneLunch Countdown Party:

Photography by Alain McLaughlin

eBay for Charity is a platform that enables members of the eBay community to donate to causes in the U.S. and abroad. Sellers can donate anywhere between 10-100 percent of the proceeds and buyers can add a donation to their purchase during checkout. To date, more than $650 million has been raised on eBay for Charity. In 2015, eBay buyers and sellers helped raise over $92 million globally.

Don’t miss the 7th Annual GLIDE Legacy Gala on August 13th at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco.

— Related: Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of more GLIDE events