Distillery switches gears to assist effort
Norther River’s Raging Crow produces hand sanitizer
NORTH RIVER, N.S. – The focus has changed at Raging Crow Distillery. Joining the effort to fight the spread of COVID-19, the North River business is now producing Raging Crow hand sanitizer.
“There’s such a shortage right now that this seems like the right thing to do,” said Jill Lindquist, president of Raging Crow Distillery Inc. “We’re in a pandemic and every little bit helps.”
Production of hand sanitizer began March 21. While making the alcohol isn’t a problem, sourcing hydrogen peroxide, added to make the product unfit for drinking, is difficult at this time. Lindquist would be happy to hear from anyone who can help them source more of it. Every litre of hydrogen peroxide will allow 32.5 litres of sanitizer to be produced.
Aloe vera juice keeps the sanitizer from drying out skin. Since it doesn’t contain glycerol it has the same consistency as water and is easily applied with a spray or squeeze bottle.
This week, Raging Crow donated cases of the sanitizer to Truro Police, North River and District Fire Brigade, and the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq.
“The police are on the front lines and are at risk for being exposed, and we heard their inventory was low” said Lindquist.
The donation is appreciated. “We have ordered hand sanitizer but, as you can expect, it is on back order,” said Truro Police Deputy Chief Rob Hearn. “It is critical that officers and the public follow the direction from health to keep their hands clean by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer when soap is not available.”
He said the sanitizer provided by Raging Crow will be used when officers answer a call in the community and soap and water isn’t available.
Kelly Holley, acting emergency measures co-ordinator with the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq, said the donation will help people who are dealing with the public.
“We have front-line healthcare workers dealing with community members who need ongoing medical care, and a donation like this is incredibly helpful,” she said. “We’re in the same boat as everybody else, trying to get the product, and to have a private business respond this way is wonderful. It shows we can get through this together.”
Sanitizer is being produced in 118-ml squeeze containers and 375-ml and 750 mlbottles. The larger bottles are intended to be used to refill squeeze bottles, including bottles people might already have at home.
The distillery is open for sales Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. Shipping is not available.
“This is the only thing being made now, and we’re pricing it just to cover costs,” said Lindquist. “There’s a limit of two squeeze bottles and one refill bottle per person and we’re asking everyone to respect social distancing to keep everyone safe.”
Raging Crow Distillery can be reached at 902-890-6460.