Talented chefs from throughout the region will compete for soup supremacy during "Souper Bowl IV," a fund-raiser benefiting ArtsQuest's Arts Education Programming Fund, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Jan. 26, Musikfest Café, ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

During the Souper Bowl local restaurants will showcase a variety of homemade soups to contend for the title of "Souper Bowl Champ." A panel of celebrity judges will issue awards in six categories: Best Vegetarian, Ethnic, Chowder, Cream-Based, Meat-Based and Most Original. Attendees will cast their votes to determine the People's Choice Award winners.

Restaurants confirmed for the 2013 Souper Bowl include Cab Frye's Tavern & Catering, Cathy's Creative Catering & Café, Copperhead Grille, Curious Goods at the Bake Oven Inn, DiMaio's Restaurant & Pizzeria, Gander Room, Hampton Winds at NCC, Hops Fogelsville Hotel & Hops at the Paddock, Iron Lakes Country Club, Leaf Restaurant Cigar Bar and Lounge, Molly's Irish Grille, Rodale Catering & Events, Fegley's BrewWorks, Thyme Restaurant & Bar at the Architect's Golf Club, Vintage Restaurant & Bar and the Club at Morgan Hill.

Tickets, which sold out the first three years it was held: artsquest.org, 610-332-3378.

Bistro time: Third Street Alliance for Women and Children will host its annual Bistro, the nonprofit organization's marquee fundraising event, 5 - 8 p.m. Feb. 10, Simon Mansion, 41 N. Third St., Easton, home to Alliance programs in downtown Easton.

The 2013 event marks the Bistro's 17th year, and will add dancing to the venue with music provided by "celebrity DJ" Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

The Bistro is noted for the culinary creations of local chef Elizabeth Mulrine who founded the event in 1996 and continues to volunteer her time and talent each year.

The evening includes a silent auction, desserts from area bakers, wine and Weyerbacher beer, and a coffee bar by Terra Café.

Ticket information: Paula Ream, Third Street Alliance for Women and Children Director of Development and Marketing, pream@thirdstreetalliance.org, 610-258-6271.

Sovereign Sandy relief: Sovereign Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, presented a $150,000 check to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. As the official bank of the Philadelphia Eagles, Sovereign-Santander presented the check at the Eagles' home game Dec. 13, 2012, against the Cincinnati Bengals, of which Sovereign-Santander was the presenting sponsor.

Jorge Moran, President and CEO of Sovereign Bank and Santander US Country head, presented the $150,000 check to the American Red Cross during the game. Accepting the donation was Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the Southeastern Pennsylvania American Red Cross. This donation adds to previous efforts by Sovereign-Santander to bring relief to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, including additional donations to the American Red Cross and to other regions of the bank's footprint impacted by the storm.

In November, Sovereign-Santander presented a $250,000 check to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Sovereign-Santander is also matching up to $500,000 for donations made in its branches by team members and clients of the bank.

Good Shepherd grant: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter, has awarded a $45,000 Community Impact Grant to the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Wellness Program. The program consists of biweekly meetings designed to promote and maintain the health and well-being of those living with MS. It includes education, exercise, art therapy and other activities.

"Our wellness program supports various MS Society strategic initiatives, such as supporting people who have progressive MS and increasing access to MS programs for underserved communities," said Jerry Werner, COTA/L, BBA, MSCS, director of the Good Shepherd MS Wellness Program. "The grant helps us meet the needs of people in the Lehigh Valley living with MS. We are extremely grateful to the MS Society for awarding us this grant for the 12fth consecutive year."

The MS Wellness Program is part of a full continuum of services available at Good Shepherd for MS patients, including inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient neurorehabilitation, assistive technology, medical management, long-term care and Optimal Fitness (a fully-equipped gym that is accessible to people with disabilities). The National MS Society has designated Good Shepherd and partner Lehigh Neurology as a Comprehensive Care Center for the treatment of MS.

National Penn for Habitat: National Penn Bancshares, Inc. donated $5,000 to benefit the Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. The contribution will assist in the construction of new homes, renovation of blighted properties and support several community initiatives.

"National Penn has been extremely supportive of who we are and what we do, and this speaks volumes about their mission and community focus," said Debrah Cummins, Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley executive director. "They have been a tremendously generous benefactor to us for years, and their support is much appreciated."

The donation will support the full range of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley activities including several new initiatives, including ReStore, 1053 Grape St., Whitehall, which accepts donated building materials, appliances and home furnishings, which are subsequently sold at discounted prices; Women Build, a volunteer program in which women learn construction skills and assist in building homes in their community; and the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, designed to transform neighborhoods through the improvement of blighted properties.

National Penn is a sponsor of the annual Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley wine-tasting event, which takes place in February and raises money to benefit the organization.

Good Cause is a column about fundraisers and galas for Lehigh Valley nonprofit organizations. Email press releases and event coverage requests to Paul Willistein, Focus Editor: pwillistein@tnonline. com.