ConsumerWatch: Website Connects Busy Professionals With Volunteer Opportunities

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Finding time to volunteer isn't that easy, but a new website helps match service oriented people with worthy organizations that need their specific skills.

Despite working long hours as a Public Relations Manager at LinkedIn, Krista Canfield has managed to fit a few minutes of volunteering in her day by logging onto Sparked.com.

The website allows individuals to help non-profit organizations without leaving their home.

"I've gotten to help every kind of organization from the Humane Society, to Meals on Wheels, to the United Way," Canfield said.

Founder Ben Rigby calls the help micro-volunteerism, where anyone could offer a specific skill to a non-profit organization.

"At their desks employees can volunteer using their skills using their high expertise for a non-profit in less then 15 minutes," he said.

According to Rigby, companies like LinkedIn, Google and Kraft Foods are signing up their employees to participate in volunteering challenges.

"Most corporations sill have an employee volunteering program and they'll send their employees out to go clean up a park, cleanup a school or build a house for Habitat for Humanity. We're offering an online solution," he said.

Rigby said signing up is easy. Individuals simply go through a quick survey where they state their interest and what kind of skills they have.

"A few minutes and a few clicks of your day can actually make a difference to a non-profit," Canfield said.

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