Audra McDonald, Bette Midler, and More Set for POWER LUNCH FOR WOMEN Today

Some of Broadway's brightest stars will be among the 375 of New York's leading ladies to support the Citymeals-on-Wheels 26th Annual "Power Lunch for Women" at The Plaza Hotel today, November 16, 2012. This by-invitation-only benefit is expected to raise $1.2 million, or enough to provide more than 175,000 meals for New York's frail homebound aged.

Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald will headline and perform a song. Also on hand will be Bette Midler, Karen Allen, Dana Ivey, Margo MacNabb Nederlander, Dasha Epstein, and Donna Hanover.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Paula Zahn will be honored for her commitment to the city's homebound elderly. Also being honored for their dedication to Citymeals will be Randi & Dennis Riese of The Riese Organization. Mr. Riese is a long-serving member of the Citymeals-on-Wheels Board of Directors. The Lunch will be emceed by the "Good Morning America" Lifestyle Anchor, Lara Spencer.

"We are so grateful to members of the Broadway community who support Citymeals year after year," said Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals-on-Wheels. "Their generosity and dedication are second only to their talent."

One hundred percent of the money raised from ticket and auction sales at Power Lunch, and all Citymeals' events, goes to the preparation and delivery of nutritious meals to homebound elderly in the five boroughs of New York City.

Founded in 1981, Citymeals-on-Wheels is a not-for-profit organization that raises private funds to prepare and deliver weekend, holiday and emergency meals to the homebound elderly throughout the boroughs of New York City. Last year, Citymeals underwrote the preparation and delivery of over 1.8 million meals to nearly 17,000 aged New Yorkers. One hundred percent of donations from the public to Citymeals goes toward the preparation and delivery of meals for homebound elderly. For more information, visit http://www.citymeals.org.

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes