We'd like to take a moment to thank the campus community for the support over the last year!

The Retriever Essentials program has made significant strides in addressing hunger and homeless among our UMBC students. Last semester 100 bags of groceries were packed and delivered, an almost 100% increase from the previous academic year. Save a Swipe collected 280 meals and helped feed 23 students while they were on campus, and this semester students donated 375 meals to the program--we are so grateful for the ability to feed even more students through Save a Swipe this semester.

This success is attributed to you, the UMBC community, as you have stepped up and donated your time, energy and resources. 

Yet, as time progresses we are discovering more students in need. Retriever Essentials is currently working toward sustainable methods to support them but we need your help!

You can continue to support these efforts by donating on Giving Day 2019, which is today! Our goal is to raise a significant amount of funds to cover food, toiletries, as well as a fully functional on-campus food pantry. 

Please take some time to donate and spread this message. We can only eliminate this problem together. Join the #blackandgoldrush by giving to Retriever Essentials today!

The countdown is on! UMBC's Giving Day kicks off at midnight and we need your help to hit the goal of 1,000 donors in 24 hours. #blackandgoldrush 

Tomorrow is #UMBC’s second Giving Day! Consider making a gift to Retriever Essentials during #blackandgoldrush & help us to continue our mission of tackling food insecurity in our university community.

We are excited to announce that Retriever Essentials will be participating in Giving Day 2019!

UMBC Giving Day Black and Gold Rush is an inspiring example of what the UMBC community can accomplish together.

It only takes a moment to help transform lives—and you can make your mark no matter where you are. Join the #BlackandGoldRush by visiting givingday.umbc.edu and choose to support Retriever Essentials, or your favorite UMBC cause!

February 28- one day to make a difference. Save the date and join #UMBC for #blackandgoldrush Giving Day. www.givingday.umbc.edu

Wondering how to pickup free nonperishable groceries while you're on campus? Worried about visiting a Food Zone for the first time?

Check out this informational video on what it looks like to visit each of our 6 food zones.

Welcome back, Retrievers!

Another semester means another opportunity for you to support your classmates who are struggling to eat while they're on campus.

The Save a Swipe Program provides free meals to True Grits for students who have been identified as food insecure by trained staff. Are you struggling to eat while you're on campus? Email retrieveressentials@umbc.edu to see if you qualify.

Did you have extra meals left on your meal plan last semester? Consider signing up to donate 5 or 10 meals from your meal plan to Save a Swipe to help a classmate in need. Last semester 280 meals were donated which were able to feed 23 food insecure students. Help us reach and surpass those numbers this semester!  Consider doing your part in helping Retriever Essentials bridge the gap between hunger on campus and academic success by signing up to donate online from now until 2/15/19.

Donated meals will be distributed to students in need through Counseling Services to be used in True Grit’s. 225 Block meal plans will have 5 or 10 meals deducted when you sign up. Recurring meals per week (Flexible 10, 14, Terrific 12, Savvy 16) will have one meal deducted each week starting February 25th-May 6th. Ultimate Meal Plan holders will be donating their Friday lunch meal, students on the Ultimate will not be able to use a meal from 11:00 am - 4:00pm on Friday. Ultimate plan holders can still use their flex, Retriever Dollars or food funds. By donating these meals you agree to this form, these meals are non-revocable once submitted. You may sign up during the beginning of the semester until the drop/add date (February 15th, Spring 2019).