RAYMOND, Miss. -- Citizens in northern Sunflower County can use a new ride-sharing service to maintain an independent and healthy lifestyle.

The service, called Healthy Destination Access, kicked off June 15 with ribbon cuttings in Rome and Drew.

Healthy Destination Access is a partnership between the Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Bolivar County Council on Aging and the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Participants can use the service to get to full-service grocery stores in Cleveland, including Vowell’s, Kroger and Wal-Mart.

Services will be available every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost to ride is $3 per person. Each person is limited to two bags. Passengers must wear a facial covering and adhere to physical distancing guidelines.

Parssengers will board the bus in Drew at the Citgo gas station and in Rome at the Silver Star M.B. Church. Seats are filled on a first come, first served basis, or clients can call the Council on Aging to reserve seating.

Ride-sharing services will be offered in rural communities statewide through regional offices of the Council on Aging organization.

These services were made possible by a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant through Extension’s AIM for CHangE program. AIM for CHangE is an acronym for Advancing, Inspiring, Motivating for Community Health through Extension. Leaders of the program work with community coalitions to improve access to healthier foods and increase opportunities for physical activity.

For more information about the ride-share program or to reserve a seat, call 1-877-866-8272.