Biddeford is hosting a “Mayor’s Summit on Hunger” Friday to address the loss of food stamps, or SNAP benefits because of the government shutdown.

Mayor Marty Grohman says they’re already expanding an existing program in Biddeford, which provides kids who qualify for SNAP benefits with backpacks full of food.

“We’re going to send them home with food twice a week (instead of once),” said Grohman. “And we are raising money for that through the Biddeford Education Foundation. So, that’s the first thing that we’re putting together, but we’re looking for more good ideas as well.”

Mayors from all over Maine will gather for Friday’s Summit on Hunger in Biddeford, which will feature Billy Shore, who heads the national hunger and poverty nonprofit Share Our Strength.

Shore has been instrumental in raising over $1 billion for hunger and poverty. He’s also the author of several books focused on social change and has been a vocal advocate for utilizing federal resources to effectively address hunger.

Grohman says they’re looking to pool ideas for delivering food to people who are losing their benefits at Friday’s gathering,

“We want to solve this problem, not just for Biddeford, but in conjunction with other mayors, and just hear their best ideas, see what they’re doing that’s working, and I think it’ll evolve as the month goes on,” Grohman said.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion will also be featured at the Summit on Hunger.

The event is taking place at the Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford on Friday from 10:30 a.m.- Noon.