Have you ever wished you had a neighbor to help with a project, watch the kids for an hour, or teach you a new skill? What if you could access those kinds of supports without spending a dime? That’s the idea behind Care and Share Time Bank (CSTB), a thriving community exchange system in Central Ohio.
Instead of dollars, time is the currency. For every hour you spend helping someone, you earn one “time credit.” You can then exchange that credit for an hour of help from another member. Whether it’s tutoring, transportation, caregiving, or even just companionship, time banking builds reciprocity, equity, and connection.
Do you volunteer for Simply Living or other organizations in the Central Ohio area? All of your volunteer hours can be eligible to be recorded in the Care and Share Time Bank! Would you like to contribute in service to your community? Check Simply Living’s volunteer page for opportunities to get involved: Be The Change: Volunteer Opportunities Await
What Is a Time Bank?
Put simply, a time bank is neighbors helping neighbors. It’s about turning to each other instead of waiting on outside systems to fix things.
Unlike traditional volunteering (where giving often flows in one direction), time banking values everyone equally. You might help someone move furniture this week and use your earned hours next month to learn photography or get a ride to an appointment. Everyone has something to offer—and everyone deserves support.
As one CSTB member put it:
“I realized I could earn credits by walking with someone who didn’t want to walk alone. Something I took for granted turned out to be a real gift to someone else.”
This sense of mutual value is what sets time banking apart from both volunteering and bartering.
How Care and Share Time Bank Works
The Care and Share Time Bank has over 500 members who exchange a wide variety of services:
- Transportation (rides to appointments, errands, etc.)
- Teaching & tutoring (languages, school subjects, creative skills, etc.)
- Caregiving (babysitting, elder companionship, respite support, etc.)
- Everyday support (yard work, computer help, meal prep, etc.)
The most important part? Everyone is both a giver and a receiver. Young, old, unemployed, disabled, or retired. Everyone belongs, everyone contributes, and everyone benefits.
Events & Community Connections
Joining CSTB isn’t just about logging hours. It’s also about building community. Each month, members gather for a third Sunday potluck. Non-members are welcome, too. Upcoming events include:
- October 19, 2025 – Matt the Recycling Guy
- November 16, 2025 – Game Night
- December 21, 2025 – Winter Gathering
These gatherings are a great way to learn more about the time bank, meet members, and see time banking in action. As Vilvi Vannak, CSTB Mentor and Simply Living Board Member puts it, “We are finding what we need in each other to flourish.”
Why Time Banking Matters
Time banking helps create a more equitable local economy. Instead of relying solely on outside institutions, neighbors support neighbors. This builds resilience through a support network, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
The Care and Share Time Bank also challenges the mindset that we’re only valuable if we’re “productive” in traditional economic terms. Here, everyone’s contributions, whether it’s teaching, caregiving, or simply being present, are valued equally.
Vilvi Vannak sums it up:
“…True prosperity cannot be measured in monetary amounts, but in the quality of our lives.”
How to Get Involved
Joining the Care and Share Time Bank is simple:
- Visit CSTimeBank.org to create your free membership.
- Explore available services and list your own offerings.
- Try a simple exchange or attend a monthly potluck to get connected.
You can also email Vilvi Vannak at CSgeneral27@gmail.com with questions.
And remember: if you already volunteer with Simply Living, don’t forget to log your hours in CSTB. It’s a great way to maximize your impact while receiving support from the community.
Looking Ahead
The Care and Share Time Bank is part of a growing global movement. Across the world, time banks are knitting communities together, reminding us that prosperity is about relationships, not just money.
CSTB’s hope for the future is simple: that more people will recognize the power of valuing one another, and that together we can build strong, self-reliant, and caring communities.
