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TTHEK'EHDELI/JEAN MARIE RIVER - Put two all-beef patties on a bun and load them with the works and you've got the signature dish of the youth fundraiser canteen in Jean Marie River.

The JMR burger is one of the top sellers at the canteen that's been running in the community since mid-June. The canteen is a novelty in the small community that doesn't have a convenience store or restaurant.

Students Kyla Norwegian, left, and Isabelle Menacho flank Jennifer Kraus, supervisor of the youth fundraiser canteen in Jean Marie River. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"The community has been supporting it very, very well," said Jennifer Kraus, the canteen's supervisor.

Residents have been able to indulge in hamburgers, fries, hotdogs, nachos with cheese and other menu items for a good cause. As its name suggests, the canteen is raising money to purchase equipment for a youth centre.

The centre is still in the planning stage but the collected money will be used to purchase items such as a home theatre system. When it's opened, the youth centre will fill a need in the community, said Kraus.

"There's nothing for the kids to do, no activities," she said.

For now some youth have been keeping busy working in the canteen.

Ariel Sanguez, Natasha LePage, Kyla Norwegian and Isabelle Meancho, four of the band's summer students, are the canteen's main staff.

"It's fun," said Kyla Norwegian, who said making smoothies is her favourite part of the job. The smoothies are made of ice, yogurt, milk, berries and a bit of sugar combined in a blender. Norwegian makes sure to taste test each batch to ensure quality.

In addition to smoothies, fries and gravy, the loaded burger and pop are some of the other popular menu items. To liven up the menu the staff sometimes has specially-baked goods such as cheesecake, bannock, pies and bread for sale.

Despite the small size of Jean Marie River, the canteen is often very busy, especially right before lunch. Band employees use their handheld radios to place their orders half an hour before lunch so they're ready for pick-up on time.

The convenience of the canteen is one of its allures, said Kraus. Cathy Sanguez agreed as she put toppings on her loaded burger.

"I didn't feel like cooking lunch today," Sanguez said.

Residents still have a few more days to take advantage of the canteen. The service will remain open until Sept. 1 and could reopen during the evenings in the fall, Kraus said.