MOSES LAKE — Associated Students Body officers from Big Bend Community College continued an annual college tradition with a donation to a local organization that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Communications coordinator Tiffany Fondren said ASB representatives recently delivered 100 “emergency hygiene support” kits to the offices of New Hope, which helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The ASB has been donating kits to New Hope for the last three years.

The ASB staff initially came up with the idea in 2017, after learning about a similar project during a conference. “And seeing how useful the kits are, their successors have made sure to keep the project going,” Fondren wrote.

Each kit contains personal hygiene products including soap, shampoo and conditioner, a toothbrush and toothpaste; hand lotion and socks, a hair brush and hair ties.

New Hope’s job is to work with domestic violence and assault survivors as well as organizations and people in the community to reduce incidents of violence and assault. “The organization runs a 24-hour crisis line and provides medical, legal and community advocacy for the victims,” Fondren said.

Student body programming director Anna Yarbro said it was “an incredible experience to be able to help New Hope. I am so glad ASB was able to contribute to the cause.”

The ASB officers met New Hope staff, learned about its services and toured its offices. Student body vice-president Jocelyn Lopez said the staff was “the most passionate people I’ve met, who work hard to provide a safe space for families that are in need.”

The donation to New Hope is not the only community service sponsored by the ASB, which sponsors a number of blood drives on campus each academic year.