On Holy Thursday, Charlotte Knights of Columbus to help homeless

More than 2,000 years ago on Holy Thursday, Jesus prayed and washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper.

On Holy Thursday this year, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus from St. Matthews Catholic Church, will pray and wash the feet of the homeless men at the Charlotte Men’s Shelter.

Richard Caron, 60, a Bridgehampton resident, is the family director for the Knights No. 10852 Chapter and chairman of the event. He said the washing of feet idea came out of a meeting with the Squires, the youth development program for the K of C.

“We were talking about spring service activities,” said Caron. “The thought came for a father-son project. Maybe we could do something around Easter, a project at the Men’s Shelter, serve dinner together. Then, a Holy Spirit moment. We could wash the feet of the men at the Men’s Shelter on Holy Thursday. That’s how the plan came together.”

After the foot washing, the Knights, assisted by Samaritan’s Feet, will provide new socks and a new tennis shoes for each of the men.

Working along side of Caron will be Chuck Elgin, Grand Knight of the St. Matthews Knights of Columbus Council. This is one of many events and activities the K of C has planned for this year. In addition to the foot-washing initiative, the Knights prepare and serve one meal a month at the Men’s Shelter.

“Our major goal continues to be encouraging more Brother Knights and their families to become actively engaged in our Council’s Service Programs (church, community, family youth, pro-life and council) with particular emphasis on family and youth,” said Elgin.

The St. Matthews Council sponsors two charities: Operation Exodus and Least Among My Brethren (LAMB). Operation Exodus builds handicap access ramps for disabled persons who cannot afford the cost. The Knights donate 100 percent of the labor. They collect donations and have fundraisers for the materials. They normally complete one ramp a month.

LAMB collects funds for the physically and mentally disabled. Some of the organizations supported by K of C include Special Olympics, Holy Angels in Belmont and the Allegro Foundation.

“Over the past six years, the Knights of Columbus has donated over $50,000 each year to these worthy charities,” said Elgin, 57, of Waxhaw.