SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warren Buffett, legendary investor and philanthropist, will host his 12^th annual power lunch with the winning bidder of eBay’s charity auction to benefit GLIDE, which provides help and hope for San Francisco’s neediest residents. Last year’s winning bid set a world-record at $2,626,300.

The Annual Warren Buffett Lunch Charity Auction is a high-demand item listed on eBay that, over the past 12 years, has raised nearly $9 million for GLIDE. Buffett has been a longtime loyal supporter of GLIDE and has said, “There's all kinds of people that need that kind of help, and I don't think anybody is better at providing it than Glide."

This year’s auction opens June 5 at 7:30pm PDT, and closes June 10 at 7:30pm PDT. Bidding starts at $25,000 and all bidders must be pre-qualified through Kompolt, specialists in Cause Branded Social Media. The lunch auction will be listed through eBay Giving Works at www.GlideLunchWithWarrenBuffett.com. All bidders must pre-qualify and the winning bidder will have the opportunity to invite seven friends to join Mr. Buffett for lunch at Smith & Wollensky “the quintessential New York steakhouse.” Alan Stillman, founder of Smith & Wollensky, donated $10,000 to GLIDE for the privilege of hosting the lunch.

“We are deeply grateful that Mr. Buffett shares our unwavering commitment to help our neediest neighbors – regardless of background or circumstance,” said GLIDE’s Founder Reverend Cecil Williams.

Located in one of San Francisco's harshest neighborhoods, GLIDE is an oasis that has served the poor for over 45 years. GLIDE is unconditional in its love, support and commitment to the community it serves – providing a range of services from free meals to housing to healthcare in order to break the cycles of poverty. GLIDE is a leading organization for social justice – inspiring the community to celebrate humanity through compassion, generosity and acceptance. Visit GLIDE.org. For information about the auction, contact 415.674.6072 or tthorpe@glide.org.

Since the eBay Giving Works program was created in 2003, eBay buyers and sellers have donated nearly $250 million to U.S. and U.K. nonprofits, $54.8 million in 2010 alone. The program offers several easy ways to support a cause on eBay. Please visit givingworks.ebay.com for more information.

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