By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
EAST HARLEM— All the nonprofit Nourishing Kitchen of New York has to do is "stay classy" through October to win two awards that would total nearly $35,000 in prize money for the fledgling food pantry.
The Nourishing Kitchen provides emergency food assistance to residents of East Harlem. The San Diego-based Stay Classy, Inc. — a group inspired by Will Ferrell's fictional character Ron Burgundy in the movie "Anchorman" — nominated the local kitchen for Charity of the Year. It's head chef Gina Keatley for Volunteer of the Year.
"I believe everyone, regardless of resources, deserves the option of living a healthy life," Keatley said in response to her nomination.
"And I am proud we are able to offer our clients motivation and support," she said of the kitchen, located at 281 Pleasant Ave..
Although its name is derived from a Will Ferrell comedy, Stay Classy works in the serious business of funding nonprofits around the country using social media.
This is the second year of the awards, which include 10 categories like "Most Effective Awareness Campaign" and "Most Creative Fundraiser".
Last July, the Nourishing Kitchen received a $25,000 grant to continue its Junior Chefs program education East Harlem kids on healthy cooking and nutrition.
Winners of the Stay Classy awards will be announced in a ceremony featuring a red carpet and musical acts on Nov. 7 in San Diego. Supporters can vote for the kitchen online through October before winners are announced in November.
