Hand sanitizer can be tough to come by right now, but at this small soap shop in West Seneca, they're cranking it out as fast as they can, lending a helping hand to their neighbors, both near and far.

"We saw there was a drastic need for it, and a lot of the stores didn't have any available," said Louise Saracina, a soap maker at the Vintage House Soap Shop on Orchard Park Road in West Seneca.

Along with soaps and lotions among the products they make, they have now added hand sanitizer to the list. The main ingredient, 99% isopropyl alcohol – or rubbing alcohol – which can help kill germs like the coronavirus.

"Washing with soap and water is always your first line of defense, getting your hands clean, getting those germs off your hands. But if that's not available, the second best thing is getting your hand sanitizer out," Saracina said.

The shop is taking orders for the sanitizer, which comes in a 4 oz. spray bottle, and their other products online or over the phone. Since the store itself is closed to the public right now, customers can pick up their orders outside on the front porch.

They've sold about a thousand bottles already and are producing more to be available later this week.

"We're glad to be an essential employee and being able to help people keep their hands clean and sanitized during this pandemic," Saracina said.

And they're helping people beyond the borders of Western New York. 

"I have been trying different places and I know everybody's searching for this stuff because it's gold right now," said Joan Dolan of West Seneca.

She wanted to send the hand sanitizer to her daughter as part of a care package. Taylor Dolan, a 21-year-old West Seneca East High School graduate, is currently deployed to New York City as part of the Air National Guard 107th Air Attack Wing assisting with coronavirus efforts in the hardest hit area of the county. 

"Now, with her in New York City, right on the front line, I'm nervous," Joan said.

She put a call out on social media for donations for care packages for her daughter and the other 12 members of her unit. She's looking things like snacks and personal hygiene items.

And the City of Good Neighbors has answered overwhelmingly. Joan's living room is packed with stuff to send. Some people have even given cash and a police officer donated Buffalo-themed t-shirts.

"Between food, between products, it's been absolutely amazing," Joan said.

The soap factory is giving hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial soaps and lotions for the unit. Joan says while they have access to sanitizer through the military, it helps to have the small bottles they can carry with them in such a risky situation.

"Whether they're wearing their protective gear or not, when they take that gear off, they want to wash their hands," Joan said.

Taking care of the people who are taking care of our country during dire times. 

"It makes you feel good to be able to help someone else that's in need," Saracina said. 

"They cannot believe the response they're getting from Buffalo. They love it. They're so appreciative," Joan said of her daughter's unit. 

If you'd like to donate to the care packages, you can drop off goods to 68 Brookwood Dr. in West Seneca, or 43 Rutland St. in Buffalo.