A new program aimed at filling the gap for those needing access to fresh food is off to a slow start.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The Walmart Neighborhood Market at 38th and Franklin closed nearly three weeks ago, leaving a lot of people without access to fresh food. That's because the area is in a "food desert," with the nearest grocery stores several miles away.

Still, a new program aimed at filling the gap is off to a slow start. The Lyft Indy Grocery Access Program is a six-month pilot involving the City of Indianapolis and the Lyft ride share progam. It's modeled after one in Washington D.C.

With her car in the shop, Micole Denton was one of the first to sign up.

"I open my phone to go to the app and it takes a couple seconds. I put in the address and they send someone out...I love it. I really love it," Denton said.

The app lets her take a Lyft to one of six area grocery stores once a week for $2, roundtrip.

"That's a deal," she said. "I would be spending so much more if I had to take the bus or rely on a cab service."

But so far, very few people have taken advantage of the program. While there's funding for 500 families, since July 1, just 17 families have signed up, taking a total of 28 rides.

Cebronica Luft, the general manager for Lyft Indiana said, "it's not surprising," because it's still so new and they're just now promoting it.

Tuesday afternoon, Lyft was among the groups at a neighborhood event, with representatives talking to people about how program works and how to sign up.

"There's a lot of people who need this program. One challenge is not the number of people we can reach. It's just getting the word out," Luft said.

People can sign up in person at Mount Comfort Baptist Church or online at GroceryAccessIndy.com.

Lyft Indy also has expanded the boundaries of those eligible to participate. To qualify, residents must live in the area bordered by 46th Street on the north side, 30th Street on the south, German Church Road on the east side and Franklin on the west side.

The Aldi at 10325 Pendleton Pike and Walmart at 10735 Pendleton Pike have also been added to the list of stores where people using Lyft Indy can shop. The others include the Kroger at 11101 Pendleton Pike, Carniceria Guanajuato at 3110 Shadeland Avenue, Tienda Morelos at 8989 Pendleton Pike and A & I Variety Meats and Produce at 8939 E. 38th Street.

Shay Harper was one of the people who signed up at today's event at A & I.

"I think it's great," Harper said. "Sometimes I get low on funds, so it's to the store and back and that's absolutely great, especially when you're saving on gas and time."

The goal is to expand the program to other parts of the city that struggle with food insecurity. Luft said plans are already in the works to offer Lyft Indy to residents living on the near west side.

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The cost of the six-month pilot is $160,000 with financial support from the City of Indianapolis, Lyft and the Central Indiana Community Foundation.