Yeto’s on Main Street in Biddeford offered two varieties of poutine for ‘Poutine for Paws,’ the Sasquatch, right, topped with brisket gravy, and the Yeti, topped with Italian sausage gravy. (Abigail Worthing photo)
BIDDEFORD — When it comes to fundraising, there are few tastier ways to do it than with poutine.
Over the weekend, two downtown restaurants, Yeto’s on Main Street and The Hamburger Stand on Elm Street, joined together to raised money for the Kennebec Valley Humane Society with “Poutine for Paws.”
For the fundraiser, the two restaurants each served a variation of poutine, a traditional Canadian dish featuring French fries topped with cheese curds and smothered with gravy. While each had the unifying cheese curds and a brisket gravy made by Yeto’s, the Hamburger stand variation was served over French fries, while both of the Yeto’s versions, the Sasquatch and the Yeti, came served with home fries on a bed of polenta. The Sasquatch was served with cheese curds and the brisket gravy, while the Yeti came topped with the cheese curds and Italian sausage gravy.
Proceeds from the poutine sales from both establishments will go to the Christopher D. Walters Second Chances Fund through the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. The fund allows for the humane society to provide costly surgeries and treatments to the animals that come into the shelter to allow them to continue a long life with their new adopted families. The goal of the fund is to assure that every animal that comes in can be provided with the treatment that it needs. Some of the services provided to animals in need thanks to this fund include dental surgeries, broken bones, diabetes treatments, as well behavior modification programs.
“We really like the mission of the Kennebec Valley Humane Society because they really do make it a priority to find a home that fits the dog,” said Jackie Hardin, owner of Yeto’s.
Jackie Hardin at the counter of her restaurant, Yeto’s, which she owns with Bryan Casale. In front of her are the two varieties of poutine that were offered at Yeto’s last weekend as part of ‘Poutine for Paws.’ (Abigail Worthing photo)
Hardin and co-owner Bryan Casale have adopted two dogs from the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, Raven, who they adopted three years ago, and Jefe, who was adopted 1 1/2 ago.
“The Kennebec Valley Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, so donating to the Christopher D. Walters Second Chances Fund helps them save these animals,” Hardin said.
When Hardin and Casale decided to do this fundraiser, they reached out to the Hamburger Stand because “their poutine is amazing.”
“We’ve created a little community of businesses in this area (upper Main Street), and we’ve all connected well,” Hardin said. “There’s a fun energy.”
Yeto’s offered its poutine selections on Friday May 17 and Saturday May 18, while the Hamburger Stand offered the special poutine on Saturday and Sunday May 19.
“We’re closed on Sundays, so this way we both offered it for two days, and people could try both on Saturday,” said Hardin.
One such person to visit both locations on Saturday was Mayor Alan Casavant, a dog lover himself, who sampled the “Yeti” poutine at Yeto’s before heading over the Hamburger Stand.
The “Poutine for Paws” event was a success in both locations. According to Danielle Ouellette, manager at the Hamburger Stand, the poutine was so popular that they almost sold out.
“We’re a very dog friendly, pet friendly business,” said Ouellette, gesturing to the outdoor seating. “We were so happy to take part in this.”
While the actual amount of funds raised won’t be know until the two restaurants can get together and tally, probably a week or so according to Hardin, the two establishments plan to present a check to the organization soon.
To make a donation to the Christopher D. Walters Second Chances Fund, visit the Kennebec Valley Humane Society website at pethavenlane.org/second chances-fund/.
Contact Staff Writer Abigail Worthing at news@inthecourier.com.
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