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GOOD DEEDS DURING COVID-19

Local distillery brings much needed sanitizer to Mustard Seed Kamloops shelter

Mar 23, 2020 | 5:33 PM

KAMLOOPS — A local distillery is working to use its business for good in the community, as Kamloops deals with COVID-19.

Kamloops-based company Forager Vodka has made a batch of hand sanitizer and is donating it to local non-profits in town.

Owner Dale Walker recently dropped a box full of sanitizer off at the Mustard Seed New Life Community.

“They’re going to use it and distribute it as they see fit for the population that they serve. And these are people who may be under-serviced, and unable to have access to this product. Especially in these times, when people are hoarding some of the main components and sanitizers.”

Walker says the company plans to make more for other organizations, but there is a limit on how much he can make. He’s encouraging people to make their own at home if the ingredients are available in stores.

“The basis in all the ingredients in high-proof alcohol. The World Health Organization says that the final mixture has to be above 60 per cent alcohol so it’s important to start with a base higher than 60 per cent alcohol,” he explains. “The other ingredients which include aloe vera, or vegetable glycerin, act as moisturizers for the skin. If you use high proof alcohol on its own, it can chap the skin. So it’s important that you’re able to dilute it a bit while keeping it above the 60 per cent recommended.”

The Mustard Seed’s Clinic and Advocacy Services Manager, Michaela Jyrkkanen, says the delivery of hand sanitizer is important for its more vulnerable clients during this time.

“We are so grateful to get this donation right now because it’s a shortage of hand sanitizer everywhere, and cleaning products everywhere,” she notes. “So just having people in the community who are willing to spend their own time and money to make a hand sanitizer and bring it in for us is beyond amazing.”

Forager Vodka says it will be posting a recipe on how to make hand sanitizer on its Facebook page.