Art & Soup Raised $148,500 to Support VNA Shelter Nursing Program
OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 28, 2018 – More than one thousand people attended Visiting Nurse Association’s 21st Annual Art & Soup event, held on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites – La Vista Conference Center. The $148,500 raised at this annual event benefits VNA’s shelter nursing program, providing care to about one third of those men, women and children who experience homelessness in Omaha and Council Bluffs. VNA is able to offer these services free of charge thanks to the generous support of the community.
Thanks to Art & Soup, VNA raises nearly half of the annual program cost to meet the health needs of approximately 2,500 of the most at-risk individuals in our community. Each week, every homeless shelter in the metropolitan area receives at least one visit from a VNA nurse. In 2017, VNA’s shelter nurses provided 8,945 face-to-face visits to 2,266 men, women and children living in Omaha and Council Bluffs homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, as well as to unsheltered adults, children and unattended youth living on the streets. Shelter clients are provided services ranging from minor first aid care to help managing chronic diseases. In 2017, 14 clients were served who, without intervention, were deemed to be at high risk of dying on the street.
This year, Art & Soup featured original artwork from 42 area artists. In addition to ticket sale proceeds, the artists donated a minimum of 50 percent of their proceeds to VNA. Artwork included paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more. Additionally, 19 of Omaha and Council Bluffs’ finest restaurants participated, creating an original soup recipe to sample or providing desserts and treats. Guests enjoyed live entertainment by Danny Garcia, the lead singer of Lemon Fresh Day.
A Patron Party was held from 1 – 2 p.m., honoring chair John Prouty. Those attending the Patron Party were first to taste the delicious soups and specialty treats while previewing the silent auction and had first access to original artwork on sale from some of the area’s most sought after artists.
Congratulations to the following award-winning artists and restaurants at Art & Soup:
People’s Choice: Artist
Best Artist – John Prouty
Best Artist Presentation – most appealing display: Curt Norman
Professionally judged “Best Artist Competition:” Design, composition, technique, emotional impact, presentation
Award of Excellence – Casey Kurz
Award of Excellence – John Prouty
Best of Show – Katrina Methot-Swanson
People’s Choice: Restaurants
Best Restaurant Decorations – most appealing display: Harmony Court
Best Soup – taste, temperature, texture: The Woodcliff Restaurant “Buttered Popcorn Bisque topped with Cheddar Croutons & Caramel Pecans”
Most Creative Soup – Sage Student Bistro at Metropolitan Community College “Coffee & Donuts Soup”
Professionally judged “Battle of the Soups:” Flavor, nutrition, appearance, creativity, safety and service
3rd place – Slattery Vintage Estates Vineyard & Tasting Room “Roasted Red Pepper with Pesto Cream & Crispy Onions”
2nd place – Harmony Court “Templeton Rye Chili”
1st place – Stirnella Bar & Kitchen “Potato, Leek & Roasted Garlic”
Next year Art & Soup will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.
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