Retriever Essentials is a faculty, staff, and student partnership to tackle food insecurity in our university community.

Many college students across the United States are classified as food insecure* and UMBC is no exception. Lacking a steady source of nutritious meals can affect students’ physical and mental health, grades, and ability to engage in campus life.

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

We are accepting donations of un-opened toiletries and non-perishable food (not expired). 

Drop off donations to Academic Engagement and Transition Programs (AETP) in Sherman 114 from 9am-5pm 4/10-4/20. All students who donate will be entered into a raffle to win a UMBC water bottle. 

The most needed toiletry items are:

• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Baby formula
• Tooth brushes/Toothpaste 
• Deodorant
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

• Spices
• Ghee
• Dosa batter
• Instant panipuri
• Lentils
• Aloo paratha
• Maggi (brand) instant noodles
• Nuts
• Pav bhaji
• Jollof rice
• Cassava flour
• Fufu
• Fish sauce
• Rice cakes
• Basmati rice 

Our mission is to develop a comprehensive program of resources which eliminates the immediate burden of food insecurity for UMBC members and connects them to ongoing support networks, in order to enhance their academic retention and career success.