WHO IS THIS FOR?

• People looking for ways to directly help people in their community
• People who want to share their gifts and talents and blessings
• People looking for help (with anything, not just food)
• Organizations looking for volunteers
• Organizations seeking to work with other organizations
• Problem-solvers wanting to do qualitative research on community needs
• Volunteers who would like to log their work with organizations
• People who would like to start community initiatives
• People who would like to make new friends

A mutual aid network isn't charity. It's community members coming together in service of building local relationships, strength, and resilience.

In response to recent SNAP cuts impacting families in Knox County, Time Together Knox County offers a unique platform where people and organizations can join forces to address critical food security needs. By exchanging skills, resources, and volunteer hours, we help connect local groups, including food pantries, and community kitchens, to maximize impact and ensure no one goes hungry. Join the Time Bank to build lasting partnerships, mobilize volunteers, and share resources, because together, we can do more to nourish our community.

Watch this space for a unified calendar of events. Questions? Comments? Email marianspurgeon@gmail.com

WHAT IS A TIME BANK/MUTUAL AID NETWORK

A time bank is a community-based system where people exchange services and support using time as currency, instead of money. When members of a time bank help one another (for example, by volunteering at a food pantry, providing transportation, or helping with childcare), they “deposit” the hours they spend into the system. These hours are logged as credits, which members can later “withdraw” to receive help or access goods and services from others in the network.

Every hour given earns one hour of credit, and every hour received “costs” one hour, making each person’s time equal in value regardless of the type of service offered. Time banks create a supportive network where trust is built, skills are shared, and needs are met collectively, especially during times when traditional resources are limited like after SNAP cuts impact the community. They empower people and organizations to work together, strengthening social ties and making it easier to address critical needs such as food security, transportation, or companionship.

In essence, a time bank encourages community connection, collaboration, and resilience by turning time and mutual aid into a valuable resource for everyone.

CLICK THE BUTTON AT THE TOP RIGHT-HAND CORNER TO JOIN