Bidding Begins for Big-Money Charity Lunch with Warren Buffett

Bidding has begun for this year's "Power Lunch" with Warren Buffett. Proceeds go the San Francisco's Glide Foundation.

Their mission is to "break the cycles of multi-generational dependency, poverty, and low self-worth by providing a spiritual home of unconditional love."

Buffett has described "unconditional love" as the "most powerful force in the universe."

The online auction is being hosted by eBay as part of its Giving Works initiative. Bidders must pre-qualify before joining the fray. The auction ends at 10p ET this coming Friday, June 27.

Latest bid as of about 10a this morning (Monday): $40,100 .. but it will easily go into six figures before it's over. Buffett does, however, come with "free shipping" according to the auction site.

(The eBay 'widget' to the left has up-to-the-second information on the time remaining in the auction and the current bid.)

We'll be watching to see if this year's high bid tops the record $650,100 paid last year by Buffett-style investor Mohnish Pabrai and co-bidder Guy Spier.

If you're looking for something a little less expensive, a Monopoly board and box signed by Buffett are also available in two additional eBay auctions for charity.

Bidding for the Monopoly board ends Wednesday, June 25, just before 3:30p ET. The auction for the Monopoly box finishes Thursday, June 26, just after 6:30p ET.

So far, neither auction has attracted a bid at the $3000 starting price.

The auctions are sponsored by a Cincinnati-based digital advertising agency called RED212, which is celebrating its first annual Bill and Warren Day this coming Friday, "dedicated to businesses giving back."

Proceeds of the auctions go to The Half the Sky Foundation, which is working to help the many children severely affected by China's recent earthquake.

Current Berkshire price:

See Warren Buffett Watch on CNBC's The Call, most weekday mornings at 11:50a ET

Questions? Comments? Email me at [e-mail]