The VNA hosted its 12th Annual Art & soup fundraiser on Sunday, February 22 and raised $140,000 to benefit the Shelter Nursing program, which provides public health nursing services to children and adults living in Omaha and Council Bluffs homeless shelters.

The VNA is the only provide of nursing services in the homeless shelters, and has been since 1987. In 2008, the VNA provided care to 764 children, 1,221 women and 1,704 men for a total of 3,689 individuals.

More than 1,000 people attended this year’s event and samples soups from 25 restaurants and purchased original artwork from 60 artists.

“Battle of the Soups” Winners (professional culinary soup competition)

Grand Champion

• Greek Islands, Chef John Sgourakis: Creamy Spanakopita Soup

Soup Winners

• Vivace, Chef Mike Johnson: Smoked Salmon Florentine Soup
• Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill, Chef Corey Guyer: Hot & Sour Lemongrass Shrimp

Professionally-Juried Art Competition

Best of Show

• Dennis Wattier: Wood

Winner’s Circle

• Sara Sumnick Wamsat: Painted Wood Objects
• David Frye: Photography

People’s Choice Awards

Best Artist

• Katrina Methot-Swanson: Oil

Best Artist Exhibit

• Anne Nye: Acrylic & Glass

Best Soup

• Greek Islands, Chef John Sgourakis: Creamy Spanakopita Soup

Best Restaurant Decorations

• WheatFields