Hello UMBC community and Retriever Essentials Partners,
My name is Rebecca Ferguson and I am the third and final CCMA AmeriCorps UMBC VISTA for Retriever Essentials. I am so excited to introduce myself as the program’s newest team member! I will be working as the Program Coordinator and will be responsible for administrative, marketing, and management processes that will ultimately build the capacity of the program to grow sustainably beyond my year of service.
I first became a part of the UMBC community as an undergrad in 2017, and recently graduated with a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Systems in December 2019. While a student, I engaged with the community as an SGA Environmental Branch leader and as a board member of The Garden club. My passion for sustainable food security led me to begin training as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia after graduation, however, I was shortly evacuated due to Covid-19 concerns. This shift in my plans has now become an opportunity to serve my community a little closer to home. As a previous student who greatly benefited from the necessary work that Retriever Essentials does, I am honored and excited to be serving the UMBC community in the capacity of this Americorps position.
I also want to thank you, the entire UMBC community, for your unwavering support for the organization, especially during these challenging times. Due to the pandemic, eliminating food insecurity presents further challenges and requires us to re-assess the ways in which we can build a closer community while remaining distant. Even through all the changes we are experiencing, the health of our community has always been essential. My hope is that my service year will culminate in Retriever Essentials’ increased ability to provide a variety of health-related resources, especially local, healthy, fresh food and “on-going support networks, in order to enhance students’ academic success and retention”.
Retriever Essentials could not have transformed from one person handing out groceries from the trunk of her car to the pillar of the community, as it stands today, without extensive community support and collaborative efforts. As the last VISTA volunteer, I am seeking to “work myself out of a job” so they say. It is through collaborations and lasting partnerships that this absolutely essential program will continue to thrive. I look forward to building upon the previous VISTA volunteers’ work and connecting with each of you in the near future to discuss how we can support one another. Please feel free to reach out at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu or rebferg1@umbc.edu!
The Campus Food Pantry needs the following items urgently:
Food:
Rice
Pasta
Peanut butter
Fruit cups
Cereal
Oatmeal
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Beef jerky
Toiletries:
Toothpaste
Soap bars
Mini mouthwash
Toilet tissue
Baby wipe
Paper towel
Please visit the following links to donate to the pantry via Amazon.
Please use the following contact info and address for the orders:
Delivery Address
Deveraux Smith
1000 Hilltop Circle
Sherman Hall 205
University of Maryland Baltimore County
MD 21250
Delivery Instructions:
This is not College Park! Please deliver to UMBC Sherman Hall 205 (on campus). If you have trouble finding the building, please get in touch with the Campus Police at 410 455 5555 or Deveraux at 202-704-7840! Thank you!
Join Retriever Essentials team as the CCMA AmeriCorps VISTA/Program Coordinator for 2020-2021.Apply online here.Member Duties: The CCMA AmeriCorps VISTA will implement the operation manual to continue institutionalizing all Retriever Essentials programming, while updating the manual to ensure needs are met in the most efficiently. They will coordinate volunteers for daily operations of the food pantry, including donation collection, inventory, bag packing/delivery, and client shopping. The VISTA will also develop a fundraising plan to raise money to support the new permanent pantry space on campus and to fund a staff member. They will work to develop partnerships with departments and student groups and on and off campus partners to provide programming and events around food justice and healthy eating on a budget. Additionally, the VISTA will coordinate the student leadership board to help institutionalize Retriever Essentials. They will train students in researching and advocating for food and housing insecure students. The VISTA will create and update promotional content and develop marketing strategies. |
Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible, Gym Membership, Relocation Allowance, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Training, Living Allowance, Health Coverage.For best consideration please apply by April 10th, 2020.https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=94195&fromSearch=true |
UMBC is a community that celebrates our great moments together. We also rise together in times of need to meet urgent social collective challenges. Over the last few weeks, the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has hit close to home for all of us. On a daily basis we are hearing from students who have gone from preparing for exams to struggling to meet their basic daily needs.
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To donate directly to Retriever Essentials please click the link above or below and select the drop down menu that indicate "Retriever Essentials" The Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund acknowledges that sometimes we are faced with circumstances we could not have predicted ... circumstances which require us to seek help from others. Please support us in doing all we can to help students continue their education in the face of challenges they could not have anticipated.
In the midst of challenging times, the UMBC community always finds ways to support each other. Please consider making a donation to the Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund.
Thank you, |
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Greg Simmons, M.P.P. '04 For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu.
All contributions raised are administered by the UMBC Foundation for the benefit of UMBC. |
While Retrievers Essentials items will be available at the Campus Police Station and True Grits for immediate relief, please refer to the following resources in case you or anyone you know needs further assistance relating to food and housing access.
Food Pantries Nearby
Search your nearest food pantry here:
https://211md.org/211provider-md-food
Food pantries around UMBC:
Catonsville Emergency Assistance
Southwest Emergency Services
Elkridge Food Pantry
Shelters and emergency services
211 Maryland
Baltimore County Westside Men's Shelter (open 24 hours within a mile’s distance)*
My Sister’s Place
Women’s shelter
Please note that there are certain stipulations involved while staying in a shelter. Usually it means you are given a bed, you are supposed to store your belongings underneath the bed etc. Prior to arrival please check with the shelter staff you are intending to stay at.
We are grateful for the UMBC community's care, kindness and continued support. It is our collective grit that keeps us going.
Sincerely,
The Retriever Essentials team
Dear UMBC Community,
At the present time, the Retriever Essentials Food Pantry is closed for visitors. However, if you need food and toiletry items, the UMBC Campus Police Department has pre-packed bags of nutritionally balanced nonperishable food and travel size toiletry items. Contact the Campus Police at (410) 455-5555. Address: UMBC Police Department 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250. The UMBC Police Department is located across the parking lot from the Performing Arts and Humanities Building (PAHB).
True Grits will be serving food through April 5, no other dining locations are currently open. They will serve Lunch (10:30 to 1:30) and Dinner (4:30 to 6:30). All food will be served in to-go containers and must be eaten elsewhere. True Grits will also be hosting essential items during these operation hours for those in need. The essential items include nonperishable food and toiletries.
You can now visit our Retriever Essentials Amazon shopping lists to donate and have items delivered to the campus pantry! Just click on the links below:
Please use the following contact info and address for the orders:
Delivery Address
Deveraux Smith
Retriever Essentials
Sherman Hall 205
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Delivery Instructions
This is not college park! Please deliver to
UMBC (on campus). If you have trouble finding the building, please get in touch with 202-704 7840! Thank you!
We are checking our email daily. You can contact us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu.
Stay safe!
The Retriever Essentials Team
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