Retriever Essentials has received a $18,360 Hunger-Free Campus Grant to support its student staff and programming. Hunger-Free Campus is a state grant program run by the Maryland Higher Education Commission that provides funding to Maryland public institutions of higher education and regional higher education centers to support efforts addressing food insecurity among students on Maryland campuses.

The purpose of the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program is to: 

 • Address student hunger. 

 • Leverage more sustainable solutions to address basic food needs on campus. 

 • Raise awareness of services currently offered on campus that address basic food needs. 

 • Build strategic partnerships at the local, state, and national levels to address food insecurity among students.

Retriever Essentials will use the funding to cover our student stipends, including support for Michael Fakus, who co-leads the Student Leadership Board. The board works on innovative projects that fill gaps in our program, such as food literacy and cooking skills, which is addressed through the annual cooking competition that Retriever Essentials will be running again this spring in collaboration with the UMBC Alumni Association and Dining Services. The grant funds will also cover stipends for students who lead Retriever Essentials gardening initiative and who oversee the 15 Community Service and Learning Practicum (PRAC 096) students who pack up extra meals after lunch at True Grits three times per week.

Assistant Director of Retriever Essentials Ariel Barbosa, MPS '24, community leadership, shared, “We are excited about how the Hunger-Free Campus Grant expands our capacity to ensure our student leaders are compensated for their incredible work! A huge thank you to the state for providing the funding and to UMBC’s Office of Sponsored Programs for their support in the application process.” 

Please note: Retriever Essentials needs your help in providing winter clothes for students! Donations can be brought to the Essential Space’s new location in The Commons (in the former PNC offices next to the Bookstore.) UMBC and The Wisdom Institute are also hosting a winter coat drive on Tuesday, October 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Administration Circle (next to the Administration Building and the Retriever Activities Center).