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More than a year ago, Alverette Matthews of East Harlem was struggling financially. She says it was hard enough to feed her family, let alone her three pets. A friend suggested giving one or two away in order to make ends meet.

"I wouldn't trade these guys for nothing in the world, nothing," says Matthews. "I can't see giving them away, they have become too much of family. I cant do it."

Thanks to donated pet food she receives from the Yorkville Common Pantry, she doesn't have to.

"I came to the pantry one day to pick up for me and my family, and there was a flyer, and it said 'cat food and dog food.' And I was like, 'Oh my goodness. Are you kidding me?'" says Matthews.

Susan Kaufman does not kid. After reading an article about New Yorkers who lack access to pet food, Kaufman could not imagine having to give up her dog Rex, so she created the Animal Relief Fund.

"I started thinking about how I could start getting pet food to people in need and I realized that the most efficient way of doing it was to take advantage of an existing structure, which was the people's food pantries in New York City," says Kaufman.

Now, Matthews can pick up food for her family and food for her two cats and one dog.

"People are losing their jobs, they are losing their homes, they are really in very dire circumstances and their pets are their support system," says Kaufman. "If they don't have their pets to come home to and get some unconditional love from, the stress must be incredible."

With donations from local pet stores and pet food distributors, Kaufman is able to supply six food pantries with pet food.

Another recipient, Ronald Miller, used to have to share his own meal with his dog because it was cheaper than spending $100 a month on pet food.

"The table food [made her] put on a lot of weight, and I have noticed that since she has been getting the food from the pantry it's been good for her," says Miller.

In a couple weeks, Kaufman and PETCO will announce a new program called "We Are Family Too." Pet food donations made in the five boroughs will be distributed to the Food Bank For New York City.

"If we can get them enough food in bulk, they will make it available through their computerized system to pantries all over the city," says Kaufman.

So, for helping pet owners and their pets all over the city, Susan Kaufman is the latest New Yorker of the Week.