Retriever Essentials had an incredible year and this is all thanks to the participation, dedication, passion, and hard work of all of you, our community!

We need one iPhone with a lightning port. If you would like to donate this item, please send an email to retrieveressentials@umbc.edu with the model.

Thank you!

A: Maybe! Currently, it's hard to predict what we will have, but we make an effort to stock toiletries, frozen meat and veggies, milk, gluten-free items, ready-to-eat meals, and even baby items as often as we can. We can't guarantee any one item will be available, but there's always a variety of items to choose from.

A: None! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come. We know financial decision-making is complex, so come fill up or just drop by to check us out. We won't ask you for any documentation.

A: No, we have enough to go around. Our community has generously provided items to us so we can redistribute them to you to make your semester just a little bit easier. As a student and a human being, you're entitled to a filling and nutritious diet.

A: As often as you want to. Welcome!

Due to the cold weather, AOK Library has graciously agreed to let us use the loading dock for this event through March. To find the loading dock: from inside the library, exit through the front doors. Turn left and walk alongside the building (past the RLC, toward the parking lot). Turn left at the end of the building and you will see a driveway. That's the loading dock. If you would like a nearby pin in Google Maps, search for 1046 Walker Ave, Baltimore, MD 21250.

Please note that fresh produce will be limited during the colder months and will be substituted with shelf-stable/non-perishable items.

Our mini pantry at the Campus Police Station will remain open 24/7 until we return.

If you are having a food or financial emergency, please dial 2-1-1 on your phone to speak to someone who will help connect you to resources that can help.

We also have compiled a list of some food pantries in the Arbutus-Halethorpe-Catonsville area. You can find that list here.

We wish you a happy and joyful new year and look forward to seeing you again in 2023!

Sincerely,

The Team at Retriever Essentials

We are having one more Free Farmer's Market in 2022 (weather permitting)! Sign up to volunteer to help us get one more batch of produce and dry goods out to our community. 

We are asking that folks stay for the whole time, 1:45 to 3:30 PM on Thursday, December 22nd in front of AOK Library (towards Erickson Hall)

Sign up here!

We are looking for 2-3 more volunteers to help out by volunteering at our event. We are co-sponsoring StudyCon with AOK Library and Academic Success and are looking for someone to help with tasks such as scanning IDs, facilitating a (very simple!) craft, or handing out goodies.

Volunteers are meeting at 10:50 AM and are asked to stay until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 14th.

Please send Lydia Sannella an email at lsannel1@umbc.edu if you are interested!

- The Retriever Essentials Team

Get in one last good deed before you head into finals! We are looking for folks to meet at 1:50 PM Monday through Thursday at True Grits to pack meals and then deliver them to The Essential Space. Sign up here.

Thank you to Food Recovery Network, Chartwells/Campus Dining, and to all the volunteers who have turned out this semester to make this all possible. Because of you, we were able to recover 760 meals from True Grits this semester!

Take a break from studying and help us get fresh food out to our UMBC community! We need volunteers Monday-Thursday this week. 

Signups are here.

Retriever Essentials needs your help!

We need folks to help pack meals each day at 1:50. Meet at True Grits, pack up some meals, and bring them to our pantry in RAC 235!

We also need volunteers for Thursday's Free Farmer's Market (especially the 2:30 shift). Meet in front of AOK Library, under the trees near Parking Lot 7.

Can't make it this week? Keep an eye out for signups for next week. Hope to see you soon!