Photo: Contributed

Parkers Chrysler Dodge Jeep stepped up to the plate this week by donating the use of a RAM ProMaster City van to the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.

"We are thrilled that such a prominent Penticton business like Parkers has taken a leadership position in helping our community's most vulnerable," said Debbie Scarborough, executive director of SOWINS. "By setting such an example, we believe it will create a domino effect with other key businesses in Penticton."

According to Scarborough, the van will be a key component in the society's mobile outreach program  wherein volunteers will be transporting harm reduction kits and nutritious snacks to young girls and women in the sex trade industry.

It will be highly visible with SOWINS and Parker's logos, so the women know there is a safe place for them.

The society conducted a survey in 2015 that showed that sex trade workers triple in the South Okanagan, to as high as 120 women, in the summer months, which makes the need for an outreach program even more urgent.

In addition to the kits and snacks, information about services that SOWINS provides to help high risk, vulnerable women will also be made available.

"We are honoured to help organizations like SOWINS because their efforts impact our entire community. If we have the ability to leverage our assets in a way that makes sense for SOWINS and other non­profits in the South Okanagan, then we are happy to do so," said Parkers general manager Jim Tabler.