At the Citymeals-on-Wheels Power Lunch for Women, high-profile female executives, media megastars, and performers gathered at Cipriani's 42nd Street for one of the most significant social and service-oriented events of the year.

"We really enjoy this one—unlike a lot of the charity events. It's always interesting and we're packed. We have a huge waiting list this year," said actress Kathleen Turner.

Since 1981, Citymeals-on-Wheels has provided nutritious food and regular companionship to elderly homebound New Yorkers. In the 23rd year of the Power Lunch for Women, Gael Greene and James Beard's organization continued to call upon some of the most influential figures in New York City, many of them from the acting community, to raise awareness and money for the city's aging residents.

While the by-invitation-only "power women" pay $350 per ticket, male guests pay $10,000 to attend the women's lunch and support Citymeals-on-Wheels. According to one of the men in attendance this year, the free champagne and chance to guzzle it at noon drew him as much as his friends and associates who participate annually. But, though many are drawn by the power lunch's status as a networking must, the cause draws most to the event and keeps many coming back every year. "The elderly aren't sexy, let's face it. But it will be all of us one day," said PR executive Amy Krakow. Bullfrog &Baum president Jennifer Baum concurred, saying, "It's a service any one of us could need any time. It's so inspiring to help this cause raise money."

"Our members do an enormous amount of outreach, often through their shows," said Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin. "Because shows like 'A Steady Rain' are so visible and the outreach is so needed, people may be paying more attention, but it's throughout the industry. I've been coming to this event, for example, for years."

"Finian's Rainbow" star Kate Baldwin, who also provided entertainment for the event, reflected on the means of doing service in her line of work. "Any time you can use any kind of public focus is a good thing," she said. "Maybe more attention goes to some shows because the performers are movie stars or whatever, but we all contribute and raise money. And the people who attend our shows are very generous."

This year, Citymeals-on-Wheels collaborated with the Actor's Fund's Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative for the luncheon. Newman explained, "We are all here to help the people of New York, and in this industry, we look to whoever can help us."

The event's guests made it clear that those offering help vary greatly in their backgrounds and their motivations in selecting the Citymeals-on-Wheels cause. "Most of us never have to think about the idea of having to feed people in this day and age," said singer Michael Bolton. "There's something so touching about actually thinking about it and trying to help. That's why I'm here." Delivering meals on Manhattan's East Side, which Bolton did the morning of the event, was the singer's main motivation to attend the luncheon, he said. "I was really eager to have that experience and see what goes on. It was very moving—I really recommend it."

The national recession does not appear to have hindered the grand party. According to writer and editor Nan Lyons, "Even in this depressed economy, we have a huge group. They come out every year—it's a fun event and such a great cause." Yet Gael Greene revealed that there is some penny-pinching behind the scenes, but mainly due to her own nature. "I'm frugal!" she told the diners. "So I really try to bring that to the planning and save a much as we possible can. It's the 23rd year, but planning this thing doesn't get any easier."

"I'm simply the kind to gravitate toward groups that actually serve," explained Turner, who serves on the board of Citymeals-on-Wheels. "We do up to two million meals and, because of restructuring in the state, we are the only ones who do holidays and weekends. We continue to refuse to tell a 90-year old woman she only gets five meals a week." As she continues in that conviction, Turner and many of the Power Lunch's annual guests keep coming back—and keep lunching so others may eat.