APS, nonprofits offering Thanksgiving meals to families in need

The group, Feeding America, said about 125,210 kids in New Mexico don't know where their next meal is coming from.

"New Mexico, when it comes to our children, we can do better, we must do better, we will do better," said Brian Alarid, president of New Mexico Prays, which is teaming up with APS and Feed NM Kids to give away 2,000 ready-to-eat Thanksgiving dinners to homeless students and their families.

"I don't want you to think frozen turkeys, because think about the population we're describing, there's no place to cook. So this is pre-cooked turkey, potatoes, green beans, corn. All these kids need is one cup of hot water,"  said Holly Slade with Feed NM Kids.

APS is identifying the students' families that qualify for the meal. In total, the meals will feed 8,000 people.

The meals will be handed out to elementary school students Friday. Middle and high school students will be receiving their meals Tuesday, before Thanksgiving break.