TimeBank program aims to create community engagement

BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - The New River Valley TimeBank launched in Blacksburg on Thursday.

It allows people to exchange skills and services such as home repairs, animal care, yard work or cooking lessons.

When a member provides one hour of work, he or she earns a one hour time credit.

The program aims to make the community stronger by encouraging people to help each other.

"Some people, when I tell them about the TimeBank, say, 'I don't have anything to offer,' but I remind them there's a lot of people in our community that just need a call once a week to make sure they're doing okay to check in and hear a friendly voice or people that need a ride to a doctor's appointment," said Ellen Stewart, the TimeBank coordinator. "It doesn't really take a high degree of skills to do those things. It's just making that human connection."

Click here if you'd like to sign up to be a part of the New River Valley TimeBank.