Filling a need for those on the front lines

POTOMAC – When the Federal Drug Administration started allowing distilleries to produce hand sanitizer, owners of Steel Toe Distillery Christina and Carl Bock decided that was not something they wanted to add to their product line. However when Joint Operation Mariposa, a non-profit Veterans Advocacy and Outreach Program out of Plains, Mont., called out of the blue, they reconsidered.

"They were having a really hard time finding any hand sanitizer to distribute to first responders, veterans and nurses, EMTs and law enforcement," said Christina. "This is a small part that we can do. We are more than happy to do it."

By joining forces with non-profits Joint Operation Mariposa and United States of Hope, a Missoula non-profit that serves individuals impacted by war, economic challenge and natural disaster, Steel Toe Distillery has provided 20 gallons of hand sanitizer to Missoula, Lake, Sanders, Ravalli and Mineral counties and will continue to make more as long as the need exists.

The Bocks opened Steel Toe Distillery in 2013 on their property in Potomac. Their most popular product is Uncle Carl's Whiskey and they also offer gin, liqueur and a new line of flavored vodka.

"We are a true mom and pop shop...it is just us," said Christina.

In March, the FDA released a policy for temporary compounding of certain alcohol-based hand sanitizer products during the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Jan. 31. Bock said in light of the coronavirus pandemic and national shortages, the FDA waived the license requirements to make and distribute pharmaceutical grade hand sanitizer and offered guidance and recommendations for distilleries to follow during the crisis.

While the Bocks discussed the possibility, they decided not to offer it as a retail option to the general public because they are such a small operation and did not think they had the capacity to offer retail sales.

However, when they received the call from Joint Operation Mariposa they reconsidered. JOM told them that the large distributors were charging more than they could afford and they couldn't find hand sanitizer elsewhere. The Bocks agreed that providing hand sanitizer in bulk containers for the non-profit to distribute was something they had the capacity to do and they would donate it.

"We don't feel right charging for a non-profit who is giving it away. It is a crisis...bottom lines are the most important things right now," said Christina. "These people and organizations literally cannot get any hand sanitizer. Those are the community heroes right now and we want to support them."

Steel Toe Distillery completed the necessary FDA paperwork and followed the World Health Organization's requirements mixing alcohol (ethanol), food grade glycerol, hydrogen peroxide and sterile water. According to the FDA requirements, the alcohol used to make hand sanitizer cannot be less than 94.9% ethanol by volume. This requires the alcohol to be double distilled.

Steel Toe Distillery already does this for their products and had the glycerol on hand. While they had a little trouble getting the hydrogen peroxide, the non-profits provided them with the first couple of bottles and have since ordered commercial gallons of it.

Christina started searching for half gallon or gallon sized containers to package the hand sanitizer. Not having any luck, she started calling dairy farms in the area.

Huls Dairy in Corvallis, Mont. was the first one she called. She explained to Tim Hul that they were making hand sanitizer to donate and asked if they had any milk jugs they could purchase. Hul called the manager at Darigold. Darigold donated 200 half-gallon jugs for the sanitizer.

"That was really cool. It was a whole community effort to put it together," said Christina.

The 20 gallons of hand sanitizer made by Steel Toe Distillery has been repackaged and distributed by Joint Operation Mariposa and USOH. They will continue to make hand sanitizer one day a week with their excess alcohol as long as the need exists. Once the commercial suppliers catch up, the Bocks will discontinue production.

"The crisis may continue much longer and we likely will not make hand sanitizer the whole time because if these companies catch up and are filling the market need, that is their niche," said Christina. "We would rather be making liquor and selling that because that is what we do."

Steel Toe Distillery is still open Wednesday – Sunday, 12 – 7 p.m. Due to social distancing requirements, they are offering walk up service at the Distillery, 23545 Highway 200 and accepting online orders offering free delivery within a 30-mile radius. Their products are also available in the Seeley Lake Liquor Store. For more information visit http://www.steeltoedistillery.com.

First responders, nurses or veterans in need of hand sanitizer are encouraged to contact Joint Operation Mariposa, 406-826-2345 or jointoperationmariposa@outlook.com or United States of Hope, 406-370-5492 or contact@unitedstatesofhope.org.