CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- If you venture into the back room of the Book Exchange on Washington Street, you'll find the beginnings of a community effort to help pet owners around the region.

Amy Williams is the creator of the East End Food Pantry, an idea sparked by a little boy's good deeds.

"I saw a story about a young boy in Florida, who had started a pet food pantry because of the economy," Williams said. "I just thought if a little boy in Florida could do that then we could do that here."

She enlisted the help of Jeff Bukovinsky who owns the Book Exchange in Charleston. The business has become the drop-off point for donations and where folks can pick them up as well. Mark Wolfe created posters to help spread the word about the pet food pantry.

They accept all quality pet food and pet supplies. Right now, they're most in need of puppy and cat food, and cat litter.

"We're keeping animals out of the animal shelter by helping them stay in the home where they belong," Williams said.

Pantry organizers are already overwhelmed by the donations, but they're also surprised by the reactions of people picking up the items.

"A few have actually been moved to tears, they've been so thankful. They don't believe it," Jeff Bukovinsky said. "It's almost too good for them to believe."

Living on a fixed income, Chris Burton has struggled to take care of her dogs and cats. She's thankful to have caught word of the pet food pantry.

"My cats and dogs are going to love it. My little boy will love it because he's going to have to worry about them eating or us having to ration food every other day," Burton said.

The East End Pet Food Pantry is located at the Book Exchange on Washington street, that's right across from the dog park. You can drop-off and pick-up donations Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.