The Salvation Army has handed out more than 70,000 packs of wet wipes, 6,000 plastic gloves, 30,000 rubbish bags and 6,000 bottles of bleach to 6,000 needy families in Hong Kong. The anti-Sars drive targeted single-parent families, people on welfare or those on low incomes who could not afford the accessories considered essential to preventing atypical pneumonia. A spokesman for the organisation said the donations had been made by various commercial sectors and individuals since May. It also had launched a fund-raising campaign appealing for donations of at least $10. 'Through the donations, we would also like to send a message to the families that a lot of people in the community do care for them,' the spokeswoman said, adding that some families were finding it difficult to deal with the effects of the Sars outbreak. Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Bureau announced details of a lucky draw programme yesterday that includes 10,000 free movie tickets. The draw also offers 100 tables at a banquet, as well as other free meals and drinks in a move to revive the retail industry and regain the reputation of Hong Kong as a cuisine haven. The activities are also sponsored by different commercial sectors, including the catering and hotel industries.
