At the Thrive Center for Essential Needs, we believe every Terp deserves the opportunity to thrive. Getting involved with our mission is more than just lending a hand; it’s about building a compassionate, campus-wide support network dedicated to ensuring that food, housing, financial stability, and well-being are within reach for every student. Whether you're interested in volunteering, sharing your skills, or collaborating with our partners, your contributions make a direct, lasting impact in the lives of fellow Terps.
Lend a Helping Hand
Support your fellow Terps by contributing time, resources, or both. You can make an immediate impact by donating nonperishable food to the Campus Pantry, giving gently used household items and clothing to the Terp-to-Terp Campus ReUse Store, or volunteering at either location to help keep these essential resources running. Every can, every sweater, every hour you give helps create a stronger, more sustainable community where students can focus on their education without worrying about basic needs.
Campus Pantry Donations
Use the Donation Registry to purchase items to donate to the UMD Campus Pantry.
Use the Giving Site to give a monetary gift to the UMD Campus Pantry.
Drop off non-perishable food donations at the UMD Campus Pantry welcome desk anytime they are open. Please package donations in a bag or box. If you have a donation that is too large to carry to the UMD Campus Pantry or are interested in donating items other than non-perishable foods, please contact campuspantry@umd.edu to inquire about special pickup.
List of Most Needed Non-Perishable Items:
- broth (chicken, vegetable, etc.)
- oil (olive, canola, spray, etc.)
- herbs and spices (oregano, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, etc.)
- salt and pepper
- flour (wheat, corn, gluten free)
- vinegar
- grains (brown rice, quinoa, barley, etc.)
- cereal, oatmeal, or other non-perishable breakfast items
- dried fruit (raisins, dates, dried cranberries, etc.)
- non-fat dry or canned milk
- canned fish or poultry
- canned or dry beans
- canned tomatoes
- salsa
- pasta sauce
- peanut butter
- mayonnaise
- soy sauce
*no expired, dented, open, or broken containers
Terp-to-Terp Donations
Students can drop off items directly in their residence hall collection bins located near the service desk. Any UMD or community member can drop off donations Monday–Friday at the Campus Pantry Welcome Desk between 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Accepted items include small appliances, kitchen/cooking items, room accessories, unused school supplies, and gently used clothing (no shoes, sock, undergarments, or clothing with holes/stains). All items and clothing must be cleaned prior to donating. Visit the Terp-to-Terp website for a more complete list.
Host a Food Drive
Organizing food drives in your residence hall, club, organization or office is a great way to help community members in need. When you are ready to host a food drive contact the Campus Pantry team at campuspantry@umd.edu or 301-405-9579.
Volunteer at the Pantry
UMD Campus Pantry volunteers help with distributions, setting-up the Pantry, stocking shelves, checking in clients and answering visitor questions. Hour-long slots are available for sign-up.
The Campus Pantry partners with Terps For Change to provide additional volunteer opportunities. Volunteers commit to a semester of weekly community service. Terps For Change offers a wide array of community service sites (including the Campus Pantry) coupled with eight weekly dialogues where students reflect on and explore social issues related to service.
Volunteer at the Terp-to-Terp Campus ReUse Store
Sign up here to be contacted about future volunteer opportunities with Terp to Terp! If your organization or club is interested in volunteering, please add that name also. For further inquiries about volunteering contact terptoterp@umd.edu.
Join a student club/organization
- First-Generation Student Association
- Tri-Alpha First-Generation Student Honor Society
- Migrating Shells
- Terp Link (for a listing of all student clubs and organizations)
Become a Fostering Terp Success Campus Coach
Campus coaches are UMD faculty and staff who are trained to provide one-on-one mentoring to Fostering Terp Success students. Coaches help their student navigate the university, work through challenges, identify strengths, build their network, and provide overall support.
Campus coaches must:
- Attend a one-day training program
- Meet with their student at least once per month, in-person or virtually
- Connect with their student via email, text, or phone call at least twice per month
- Be a supportive adult for the student for one year, but optimally for the student's entire time at UMD
- Attend occasional Fostering Terp Success social events
- Attend at least one campus coach meeting/lunch & learn session per semester.
Interested in becoming a campus coach? Click here to complete an application or contact Brian Watkins for more information at bwatkins@umd.edu. Training is provided once per semester, and mentors are matched as students join Fostering Terp Success.
Make a Gift
List financial giving opportunities