After reading about other distilleries in Pennsylvania switching over from beverage production to that of hand sanitizer, co-owners Andy and Kris Warner at Wardog Spirits and Black River Farms in Lower Saucon Township decided to do the same.

Their effort to help refill the Lehigh Valley’s desperately dwindled supply of hand disinfectant began March 20.

“We are abiding by the World Health Organization (WHO) recipe,” says Andy Warner.

“We start a fresh mash for each sanitizer run, making it the same as we would for any neutral spirit and we are only using reflux stills that can produce 190 proof alcohol,” Warner says.

The hand sanitizer is available in 2-ounce, 4-ounce, and 60-ounce refill bottles. “Bottles are very difficult to get,” says Warner.

Son Drew and daughter Grace have been pitching in with the project. Drew is a sophomore at Furman University, Greenville, N.C., now studying at home. Grace works at The Fresh Market, Promenade Shops, Center Valley, Upper Saucon Township, where she has already provided her co-workers with donated sanitizer.

Although they are absorbing the production costs themselves, “We have received some donations as well, very helpful, and we are very thankful, Warner says.

Wardog Spirits has donated more than 2,000 bottles of the topical solution, in excess of 50 gallons, to 55 different organizations to date.

Among the recipients are police and fire departments in Allentown, Fountain Hill, Hellertown, Lower Saucon, as well as health and rehabilitation centers. Kris Warner delivered sanitizer to St. Luke’s University Health Network, where she serves on the board of trustees.

Information: Wardog Spirits and Black River Farms; www.black-river-farms.com