Imagine a world where everyone's needs are met, where everyone's talents are acknowledged. Skills are offered without concern of monetary gain, and received by those in need whose only payment would be the contribution of their own unique abilities.

Utopia you say?

Who among us hasn't been in the situation where we needed something but just couldn't afford or justify paying for it. Be it a leaky roof, an overgrown garden, or an hour of child care so you can just have a break. Is it too much to ask? Traditionally yes, for some of us at least. And who among us wouldn't be able to think of something they could offer to someone else in need? Ideas include pet sitting, a ride to the airport, or maybe just companionship.

Dr. Edgar Cahn recognized this need for reciprocity and developed the time banking concept as a solution to massive cuts in government spending on social welfare and as a means of local community building. After suffering from a heart attack, Cahn felt "useless" during recovery. Having every need attended to, he was disheartened about being unable to reciprocate. It was in this feeling where he found his inspiration.

So what is time banking? Simply put, by spending an hour helping someone else, you earn a time dollar. This time dollar is recorded in the online time bank for you to spend on yourself, utilizing an hour of service offered by someone else. 

Services offered and received by community members include home repair, babysitting, pet care, transportation, cooking, cleaning, yard work, massage and health care, among many others. Members give as they are able, creating an exchange rather than a typical volunteer or charity organization. This engenders a broader sense of community and recognizes all members as assets, human beings capable of giving back as well as receiving. 

With members ranging in age from 18 to 84 years old, there is a very diverse population of needs. Recognizing unforeseen hardships, as well as temporary or permanent disabilities, the Phoenixville Area Time Bank has developed the Helping Fund. Members are able to donate their earned time dollars to the fund from which those in need are able to draw. This has served seniors, convalescents, and both physically and developmentally challenged members, many of whom have found unique ways to contribute back to the Time Bank.

Margo Ketchum took over as central coordinator is 2005, helping develop the Time Bank into a non-profit, partnering with many volunteer organizations in the area.

Ketchum envisions a day when, "every need will be met," and she is on the right track with 178 local members to date. The Phoenixville Area Time Bank has spread to social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Meet Up and a local member manages the blog in exchange for time dollars. 

Join Ketchum at the Phoenixville Public Library on the second Saturday of every month at 2 p.m. for an "Introduction to Time Banking" presentation. Or meet existing members on the first Sunday of every month for the "Time Bank Social." The Social takes place at Artisans Cafe in downtown Phoenixville from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.