This spring, the world’s most expensive lunch will be up for auction again for the final time. Investor Warren Buffett will be auctioning off a private meal to raise money for a California-based charity organization. Buffett, before the pandemic, used to organize the lunch auction once a year. Due to the pandemic, the auction was at a halt for the past two years. The idea behind the lunch auction is to raise money for the Glide Foundation, which helps the homeless in San Francisco.
Glide said on Monday — “a few days before thousands of shareholders are expected to gather at this week’s Berkshire annual meeting — that the event will be revived this year”.
Buffett has raised almost $34.5 million from these lunches since 2008. Every winning bid has topped $1 million so far,
Many of the previous winners were investors who admired Warren Buffett for his uncanny ability to locate undervalued firms and stocks. In 2019, a cryptocurrency pioneer paid $4,567,888 for the opportunity to eat with Buffett in the most recent auction.
The week-long auction will start on June 12 with a starting price of $25,000
Warren’s relationship with Glide Foundation dates back to almost 2 decades ago. His first contact with the foundation was via his wife. Although she died in 2004, the bond between them remained. Warren Buffett supports Glide because it helps people in terrible situations regain hope in life. Glide helps the homeless by providing meals, health care, job training, rehabilitation, and housing.
Glide’s President and CEO Karen Hanrahan said “Buffett’s friendship and generosity over the past 22 years have been invaluable”. The week-long auction will start on June 12 with a starting price of $25,000 and run until June 17. Buffett will dine with the winner at Smith & Wollensky in New York City.