So Grabowski, who lives on a farm in Parkman, teamed up with a friend and created a place on the Web where folks who are struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season can connect with each other, share their limited resources and seek help from others.

The Maine Yuletide Network, a Yahoo user group formed in mid-November, has attracted about 80 members from Kittery to East Millinocket. Many are from rural areas with limited access to transportation, social services and Christmas programs that help low-income residents.

There's no polish on this network, no well-organized, well- funded benefactor doling out toys, food and clothing to grateful people.

Instead, the online group is a lesson in raw, grass roots outreach, a place where needy people ask for help and share what little they have to help others with greater needs.

"I guess what I hope to accomplish is just to give everybody a chance to have the Christmas that they want for their children and for their families," Grabowski said.

She said she formed the group on Yahoo in part because she wanted a place where people could ask for help without being attacked for not having a job or not finding ways to live more frugally.

She moderates the online postings and throws out anyone who joins to attack other members.

"It brings you down, but you try not to let it bother you," she said.

Others have a tougher time accepting the harsh realities of need and how it can attract criticism.

Christina Holloway of Steuben helped Grabowski start the network. Holloway, who has children age 18, 15 and 10, has asked for assistance with Christmas gifts and other items to get through the winter. She received some comforters and gave away Barbie dolls her daughter has outgrown.

But Holloway said it's been difficult to find any meaningful gifts for her children, because most charitable groups are stretched too thin or offer gifts that donıt match her childrenıs ages or interests.

And she's struggling to cope with the sheer numbers of needy people and the hostility from those view her as lazy or undisciplined. Like Grabowski, Holloway also posted appeals for help elsewhere on the Internet and had to endure attacks from others.

"There's very few nice people and tons of mean people," she said. "I guess I'm happy because you feel like youıre not alone. But there's no savior out there."

Madeline Herold, a member from Bangor, offered a turkey for holiday dinner to a military family that moved to Maine recently and was unprepared for high fuel and housing costs. She said she bought a few extra turkeys to share on sale because she knew someone would be able to use them.

Herold, 36, said her family, which includes her husband and five children, were homeless for five months until November, when they obtained housing in Bangor. She said the family camped out, and she stood by the road with a sign asking for food and other help.

"It was the most degrading thing I ever had to do in my entire life," said Herold, whose husband has chronic health problems. "When I see these other homeless people do it, I know how they feel."

Although Herold is asking for toys and clothing for her children through the network, she is also giving anything extra she can spare, such as the turkey, and clothing her children have outgrown.

"In this group a lot of people have come together to basically try to recycle what they have to help somebody else," she said.

The network features dozen of messages from families who describe their struggles to keep old cars running, put heating oil in their furnaces and keep their growing children in warm winter clothing. Many say they have nothing left to buy Christmas presents for their children.

"We just...