Methuen, Massachusetts is bracing for an expected increase in the need for food assistance at the end of the week.

A citywide food drive is underway in Methuen to help feed residents who won’t be getting their SNAP benefits for the month of November.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has defended a partisan message posted to a state website blaming President Donald Trump for this weekend’s looming lapse in food benefits for more than 1 million Bay State residents.

TVAs the federal government shutdown drags on, millions of Americans who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are caught in the middle. Money for the program is expected to lapse in just days,

Campbell explained why continuing SNAP benefits beyond Nov. 1 is critical to the thousands of low-income residents served by the Worcester Community Action Council. The nonprofit helps residents enroll in SNAP, and once that’s achieved, many of those same people can more easily apply and qualify for fuel heating assistance in the winter.

More than 1 million people across Massachusetts rely on SNAP assistance, a program formerly known as food stamps. Our map shows which communities have the highest percentage of SNAP clients.

Gov. Healey says there's "no way" Massachusetts would be able to make up for lost SNAP funding from the federal government.

Across Massachusetts food aid organizations and public officials are preparing for the end of SNAP benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown — readying for over 1.1 million recipients

"The federal government provides about $240 million a month in SNAP benefits to Massachusetts residents," Healey said. "There's no way that the state can make up for that."