In less than a hour, MSU students snatched up nearly 300 Valentine’s Day kits provided by Olin Health Center on Wednesday, which was National Condom Day.

Members of Olin’s Health Advocate Program distributed festive Valentine’s Day bags in the International Center, which included candy, two condoms, lubricant and a card filled with safer sex tips.

“We gave everything away a lot faster than we anticipated,” said Leah Howard, an Olin health Advocate.

The secondary education and biology senior said some students were eager to accept the free gifts, while others wanted nothing to do with it.

“One guy said, ‘Sorry, I don’t have sex,’” she said. “Some people changed their route to get away from our table.”

But she said the program’s aim is not to encourage sexual activity.

“We’re not promoting sex,” she said. “We’re just trying to make it safe, because people are going to do it.”

The Valentine’s Day bags were a part of Healthy Sexuality Week, and as many as 13,000 condoms will be distributed throughout campus.

Howard said she thinks people are taught to see sexuality as something negative.

“I think our culture is always thinking that we’re not supposed to be having sex, and that we shouldn’t be talking about it,” she said.

Although some students shied away, others were more receptive of the gift bags.

Kristen Ranville, a natural resource management and environmental studies senior, said she was just passing by and noticed the bags.

She said while some students may feel awkward when sex is discussed, it is a topic that needs to be addressed.

“I think what they’re doing is a good thing,” she said.

Health advocate Emily Flowers said students need to be more accepting of their sexuality.

“People have to realize that having sex isn’t something to be embarrassed about,” the nutritional science and dietetics senior said.