The fast-food company Taco Bell is giving away free tacos to any person who stops into one of its restaurants this afternoon as part of a promotion tied to the World Series.

But instead of encouraging consumers to stuff themselves with free food, an anonymous group has started a Web site that seeks to turn the promotion into an effort to raise money for victims of the California wildfires.

DonateYourTaco.com is encouraging those who aren’t planning to cash in on the free taco promotion to sign an online petition. For every name collected on the petition, the site’s organizers plan to ask Taco Bell for a cash donation equivalent to the value of a free taco to the American Red Cross.

The retail value of a free taco is 77 cents, according to Taco Bell.

“Whether you’re a vegetarian or just can’t get away from your desk to collect your prize, we know you want to help … and we’re hoping Taco Bell does too,” the Web site says.

Will the effort work? Trent Stamp, president of Charity Navigator, for one, has his doubts.

“This is a very clever idea, destined I’m sure to crash and burn, but clever nonetheless,” Mr. Stamp writes on his blog, Trent Stamp’s Take.

Mr. Stamp instead encourages donors to contribute directly to a charity that is helping fire victims.

Let us know what you think. Do Web sites like Donate Your Taco have the potential to encourage greater corporate philanthropy? Click on the link below to share your comments.