“Say cheese.”

How many times have we heard that the past few weeks during the holiday season.

But on Dec. 30 people were saying it during a cheese sandwiches fundraiser at Town & Country Market in Poulsbo.

All T&C locations held similar events that day, but each donated proceeds to different nonprofits. The one in Poulsbo donated to Fishline.

Heather Joy, T&C Poulsbo Communication Program manager, said it was the fourth such event in 2023 where the store donated food and labor for fundraising. Previous events included strawberry shortcake, bratwurst and clam chowder.

Amanda Dragon, Fishline North Kitsap Resource Development and Communications director, added that T&C also matched the donations in December.

Joy and Dragon said 22 pounds of cheese were used to make 200 sandwiches at a suggested donation of $5 each, so at least $1,000 would be made. However, historically people have donated more so it could end up being double that amount.

The bread was a mild but tasty sourdough, smeared with just enough butter to yield it a nutty brown when grilled. Garnishing the sandwich was an apple and caramelized onion jam that mom never made, but maybe should have. It was slightly sweet, which really complemented the cheesy star of the show.

T&C provided both provolone and Emmenthaller cheese, the latter being one of those appellation d’origine contrôlée foods that can only use the name Emmenthaler (from the Emmen Valley in Switzerland). If that doesn’t sound familiar, can you say, “Swiss cheese?”