Many people these days are finding they just don't have enough money to pay the bills. Sometimes a medical emergency or car trouble can use up the money meant for the rent.

Keith Taylor faced exactly this problem when he was in graduate school. His car had broken down, and after he repaired it, there was nothing left in the bank. But a friend helped him out. Taylor was so touched, he wanted to find a way to keep helping others. So he set up a Web site for people who just need a few hundred dollars worth of help.

The first day the Web site was up, he got 1,700 emails -- 80% of them from people wanting to contribute to the fund. The fund has grown dramatically since then.

Keith Taylor talks with host Peggy Wehmeyer about his website, called Modest Needs.