RALEIGH – Stuck at home? Need help with some odd jobs? Tutoring? This local startup has got you covered.

Sweeps, founded by UNC-Chapel Hill grad Morris Gelblum, is a network of college students in cities across North Carolina ready to be put to work.

Basically, name the job and they’ll work to get it done – from moving and cleaning to tech, tutoring and more.

And with hundreds of people out of school or getting furloughed due to coronavirus, availability is high.

“We, like a lot of business, are trying to adapt quickly, stay open, and keep people working,” said Gelblum, who founded the company while attending UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flaglar Business School back in 2005.

“We have thousands of Sweepers, with profiles skills, and real reviews. These are law students, student-athletes, first-generation college students, future doctors.

“Really sharp people. Each has a unique story, skills and something valuable to share.”

How to hire

How it works is simple: Post a job, get an estimate, and Sweepers are notified and matched to the job.

Eight different categories of service are offered, including “odd jobs.”

Specific categories include:

  • Moving
  • Cleaning
  • Events
  • Yard work
  • Tutoring
  • Painting
  • Tech

The company operates in the Triangle, along with a handful of cities scattered across the state, charging $35 an hour, while paying workers a minimum of $18 an hour.

Screen shot from Sweeps website

Gelblum admits that, while job requests are down (“people are taking this social distancing seriously”), there are still a lot of “safe jobs” that can be done, and they’ve got the flexible workforce to do it.

For example, Gelblum said, his crew recently helped with a last-minute move for a customer when her brother broke his foot and could not work.

“Another customer is trying to sell her house immediately. She works in elderly care and is super busy, so Sweepers have helped prepare the yard and outside areas,” he said.

“We are working to emphasize and create processes around virtual jobs,” he added, “like writing, bookkeeping, translating, and remote learning in classes — from Spanish to math to physical training.”

To insure that employees are virus free, the company has enacted a number of new policies, like encouraging “contactless” jobs and social distancing, waiving all cancellation fees and glove and mask use.

“This is taking a lot of work and diligence to communicate, stay updated on current safety policy, and enact new measures quickly. The good thing is that everyone we talk to in our community is taking coronavirus seriously.

“This is a dynamic situation and we are adapting quickly.”