“Arbitrage” star Richard Gere surprised guests at City Harvest’s Evening of Practical Magic gala at Cipriani 42nd Street Tuesday night by jumping onstage during an auction and injecting himself into one of the lots up for sale. Gere promised to help celebrity chef Eric Ripert cook a gourmet meal for 20 people at the winning bidder’s home. From the stage, he further explained that he has a soft spot for hunger-fighting charities. “I have a picture here of my father,” Gere said holding up his phone, then telling the crowd his dad helped start Meals on Wheels. “I don’t know why I brought this up other than the fact I would do anything to feed people. I got it genetically from my father,” he added. The pitch worked, and the Ripert/Gere experience was auctioned off for $220,000. Gere also auctioned off a night at his swanky Bedford Post Inn, with the auctioneer joking that if bidding went to $100,000, “Richard will tap dance” onstage. The item raised $19,000.