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

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.

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

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,

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.

With the uncertainty of SNAP benefits on the horizon, here are food pantries offering help in Greater New Bedford and Fall River.

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.

"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."

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is raising concerns about the future of food assistance programs as President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ introduces significant funding

Governor Maura Healey warns that over 1 million Massachusetts residents may lose food stamp benefits if the US government shutdown continues past November 1, 2025. Federal funding for SNAP is insufficient,