With basic necessities to combat the spreading coronavirus in high demand, a local nonprofit has partnered with two Gwinnett County Public Schools to give out supplies.

Preface, an early childhood literacy advocacy group, received several hundred bottles of hand sanitizer from a donor who asked to remain anonymous. It worked with Berkmar High and Lilburn Elementary to pass them out during the free meal distribution today.

“Preface has been able to bring a diverse collection of generous stakeholders to support them as we work together to keep creating educational opportunity for the next generation,” said Jonathan “JT” Wu, founder and executive director. “This in an opportunity to make sure students are protected in the days ahead.”

Related story: School districts offer meal service amid coronavirus shutdown

Wu oversaw stocking the schools on Friday. Each school will only have a few hundred bottles so each family will be given one bottle.

“This isn’t a stockup situation,” said Guerlene Merisme, Lilburn Elementary principal. “We just want to make sure everyone has some.”

This entire situation is a first for schools and they asked that those coming to receive the hand sanitizer and the meals bring patience and good manners with them.

“We didn’t have the whole team here on Friday, so we’ll be working out the rest of the plan Monday morning,” said Merisme.

Wu is working with donors to provide hand sanitizer to other schools later in the week.

“We don’t have anything definite yet, but we’ve had some outreach,” said Wu.

Jonathan "JT" Wu, founder and executive director of Preface, a local nonprofit childhood literacy advocacy organization, delivers hand sanitizer to Gwinnett schools on Friday. One bottle per family will be distributed on Monday while supplies last. CONTRIBUTED
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Hand sanitizer distribution

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Berkmar High School

405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn

Lilburn Elementary School

531, Lilburn School Roard, Lilburn