App connecting college students looking for work with homeowners in need of help with chores launches in Waco

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A new program is launching in Waco, matching college students looking to make extra money with homeowners who need help with chores and odd jobs at an affordable price.

The Spare Hand Students have already had success at College Station, home to Texas A&M, and Lubbock, home to Texas Tech, and have made Baylor their next stop.

Zach Miller, 21, of Southlake, is the founder and CEO.

“Our mission is two-fold: We offer homeowners an easy solution to their to-do lists while providing students with flexible work opportunities that fit around their school schedules,” Miller said.

Students can register by providing the program with their college email address.

They then set their own hourly rate depending on the job.

Homeowners can then select a student based on their bio, price and availability.

Student services include everything from dog walking and pet sitting to yard work, gardening, elder care, childcare and vacation assistance.

Miller says his students have already installed lighting in many locations, charging about $30 an hour, a fraction of what many companies charge.

The founder says it’s a win-win for both parties.

“Starting with homeowners, it’s hard to find affordable and convenient services,” Miller said. “Nowadays people are charging huge amounts of money and waiting for weeks just to come and check out a project, and on the other hand, it’s really hard for us students to find a job, especially one that we have experience with and that we actually enjoy doing, combining these two things, we’re basically just bringing communities together and helping everybody.”

The company has already paid out $125,000 to the students.

Miller said Waco seems like the next best stop.

“We came to Waco because, like College Station and Lubbock, the whole city is very interested in the school,” he said.

If you are a student and would like to apply, you can find the application under Spare Hand Services: Student.

If you want to hire someone for a job, you can search for Spare Hand Services: Services.