Art & Soup Raised $131,500 to Support VNA Shelter Nursing Program
OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 26, 2019 – Despite the snow-packed road and the cold weather, a great crowd attended Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA’s) 22nd Annual Art & Soup event, held on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites – La Vista Conference Center. The $131,500 raised at this annual event benefits VNA’s shelter nursing program, which allows VNA to have a nurse in every homeless and domestic violence shelter 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 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 2018, VNA’s shelter nurses provided nearly 8,000 face-to-face visits to more than 2,100 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 navigating health care and managing chronic diseases.
This year, Art & Soup featured original artwork from 22 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, 22 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 chairs Roger and Karen Thompson. 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 – Sarah Estey
Best Artist Presentation – most appealing display: Sarah Estey
Professionally judged “Best Artist Competition:” Design, composition, technique, emotional impact, presentation
Award of Excellence – Chris Bolmeier
Award of Excellence – Margie Magnuson
Best of Show – John Prouty
People’s Choice: Restaurants
Best Restaurant Decorations – most appealing display: Harmony Court, “Smoked Wild Windsor”
Best Soup – taste, temperature, texture: The Woodcliff Restaurant, “Elote Bisque”
Professionally judged “Battle of the Soups:” Flavor, nutrition, appearance, creativity, safety and service
3rd place – Twisted Fork, Chef: Aron, “Twisted Potato”
2nd place – Immanuel Communities, Chef: Tyler Ratigan, “White Asparagus”
1st place – Stirnella Bar & Kitchen, Chef: Matthew Moser, “Roasted Local Butternut Squash”
Next year Art & Soup will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.
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About Visiting Nurse Association
After more than a century, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) continues to provide valued expertise, comforting perspective, innovative leadership and industry-leading solutions around the health issues of the day in the communities we serve. Our team of more than 400 compassionate healthcare professionals is dedicated to shaping tomorrow’s care, today, by providing the highest quality care to individuals at home and across the community – no matter their age, station in life or available resources. To learn more about VNA’s unique commitment to fostering a healthy, thriving community, and the services available to meet each client’s ever-changing needs, visit vnatoday.org or call 402-342-5566.
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