Paso Robles craft spirits makers Krobar and Willow Creek distilleries together donated 220 gallons of sanitizer April 13 to San Luis Obispo County first responders and health care personnel. 

The donation was made to the the county Office of Emergency Services, which plans to distribute the sanitizer to emergency response personnel and frontline health care workers. 

“This is an ‘all hands on deck’ effort,” said County Administrative Officer Wade Horton, who also serves as emergency services director. “We appreciate everything that our residents and local businesses are doing to keep our communities safe. This is a perfect example of the creativity and resiliency local businesses are exhibiting every day to help fight this disease.”

The distilleries transitioned their workers and equipment to the production of sanitizer from ethanol alcohol in March after sales slumped in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The delivery to the county is equivalent to around 5,000 6-ounce bottles of sanitizer, and can be used to clean hands and disinfect surfaces, the companies said in a news release. 

“Collaborating with our neighbors at Willow Creek allowed us to produce more sanitizer and deliver the product faster to the frontline workers who need it so desperately,” said Krobar co-owner Stephen Kroener.