LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County reached its 400th member on Sunday, April 13, 2014.

“It’s taken us less than nine months to go from 300 to 400 members,” said John Saare, North Lake and technical coordinator for the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County. “Time Banking is starting to really become an alternative currency in this county, as it already is in many other parts of the country and abroad.”

Carol Cole-Lewis, Thrive Lake County coordinator and Time Bank project coordinator, explained why this number is so important.

“We have met a critical mass where the momentum we’ve established can sustain itself,” she said. “This gives us the energy we need to being work on an exciting project that uses time bankers to support the effort of local farmers in order to make local food more affordable to our community. ”

Time Banking is a community currency based on hours where members exchange time instead of cash. Every person’s hour is equal without regard to the service provided.

The Time Bank is open to any Lake County resident, business or organization.

The next free meetup for new and prospective members is on Saturday, May 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Clearlake Youth Center at 4750 Golf Ave., Clearlake. A social event will follow the meetup.

The Time Bank Lakeport office on 307 N. Main St. is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

The Clearlake office at the Clearlake Food Pantry, 14832 Lakeshore in Clearlake, is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

For more information about Time Banking and the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County, visit http://timebanklakeco.org or call 707-413-0220.