Moose-lovers, Obama supporters and NHS fans are unlikely to be reaching for their wallets, but admirers of a certain Republican former vice-presidential candidate and erstwhile governor of Alaska can now snap up their fantasy soirée for the modest sum of $25,000 (about £15,250).

In a show of support for a US veterans' charity, Sarah Palin and husband Todd are offering five guests the opportunity to have "an intimate supper" with them. Aside from having to bid for the prize through an online auction, the only catch is that the lucky winners must pay their own way to the meal, probably to be held in Palin's hometown of Wasilla, Alaska.

The 10-day auction, in aid of the Ride 2 Recovery programme, which supports wounded veterans through cycling schemes, begins on eBay on Tuesday.

The charity describes the dinner as "the chance of a lifetime to experience an evening with Governor Sarah Palin", adding: "She is, quite simply, one of the most talked about people in the US, and she and Todd will sit down with you and up to four of your friends for dinner."

Those who can't quite match the $25,000 opening bid need not want for food nor staunchly Republican company.

Lunch for three with Karl Rove – "the 'architect' of President Bush's 2000 and 2004 campaigns" – is also on offer, with starting bids of just $7,500.

Once again, there is a degree of inflexibility about the venue. Lunch, the charity says, "will be provided by famous, 4-star restaurant, Bobby Van's Steakhouse in Washington DC". There, the three winners can gently probe Bush's former deputy chief of staff as they pore over a menu featuring prime porterhouse steak ($42.50 a person; minimum two people), roasted garlic mashed potatoes ($7), and Sonoma Coast pinot noir ($99 a bottle).If dinner with either Republican titan looks overpriced, consider the individual who forked out $2.1m for a charity lunch with financial guru Warren Buffett last year.