Nearly 400 families in Cochise County will have Thanksgiving meals this year thanks to a local nonprofit working to fill gaps in food assistance for children.

Peach's Pantry, Inc. began distributing Thanksgiving meal packages to families through schools in Huachuca City, Sierra Vista and Palominas on Thursday morning. The nonprofit's founder and executive director, Sarah Pacheco, said this year marks their largest distribution ever.

"This is the largest year we've ever had," Pacheco said.

According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, one in four children rely on SNAP nutrition assistance. Peach's Pantry works specifically with schools to reach families who might otherwise fall through the cracks of traditional food assistance programs.

"It was one group that, they were kind

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