Jim Ananich’s 50th birthday event to support food security, civic engagement in Flint

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The Ananich Legacy Foundation’s ‘Plate It Forward’ fundraiser will feature local chefs and raise funds for St. Luke’s food distribution program. (Courtesy photo)

FLINT, Michigan — Jim Ananich has always celebrated Flint through service. Now, as he turns 50, the former state senator and founder of the Ananich Legacy Foundation (ALF) is marking the milestone with a community fundraiser that blends food, fellowship, and civic engagement.

The event, Plate It Forward, will take place Thursday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. at the Flint Farmers’ Market. Proceeds will support St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center’s food distribution program and ALF’s mission to expand civic engagement training, leadership development, and voter participation initiatives.

“Marking my 50th birthday this way feels right,” Ananich said in a press statement. “By supporting both immediate needs like food security and long-term opportunities for civic engagement, we are creating a stronger, healthier community for everyone.”

The evening will feature a culinary showcase from three local chefs:

M’ya Warren, owner of Cooking Is Therapy and a mentee of Ananich’s in the Flint Entrepreneurial Ecosystem program.
Tony Vu, founder of Flint Social Club, best known locally for MaMang at the Farmers’ Market and for co-founding The Good Bowl in Traverse City and The Kickback in downtown Flint.
Aletha Harden, the 2025 champion of TC McClain Enterprises’ Culture Matters Cooking Competition.

Together, the chefs will prepare dishes that reflect Flint’s resilience, creativity, and cultural richness.

Founded by Ananich, ALF connects fellows with mentorship, training, and career opportunities in public service while supporting local initiatives that remove barriers to participation. In recent months, the foundation has expanded its work by helping fellows access professional development and strengthening partnerships with organizations across the city.

Community members are invited to join the Oct. 2 celebration, support the foundation’s mission, and “plate it forward” for Flint families.

To register or sponsor the event, click here. Those unable to attend can donate directly here.