By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

“We don’t ask why or how. We just feed them,” Kyle Charlton explained. Charlton is the director of operations of the Paris Foundation, which is a Christian, non-profit organization located in Elkton. It is named in memory of Leslie Carl Paris, and honors his many years of service to the poor and the homeless in the community.

“Paris had a vision to see an organized effort formed to alleviate the conditions contributing to homelessness in the Elkton area. The Foundation was founded in 2012 to make that vision a reality,” Charlton said. “They provide an evening meal seven days a week, plus Sunday lunch.

It was formed because the founder, Les Paris, thought Elkton, Maryland was too affluent of a community for people to go hungry.”

Fifteen years ago, the homeless population in Elkton was an encampment that was set up in Marina Park. You couldn’t miss it – tents were everywhere.

“Our foundation went into the park and set up a table and provided meals,” Charlton said. “I was a volunteer every Tuesday for three years. Other groups would do other nights. Pastor Mike Brandon from the New London Baptist Church and Bob Imperatice worked with a number of different groups. Eventually, many of the groups were brought together and the Paris Organization was formed. Once organized, we moved into a building on Bridge Street. The homeless were invited in to sit down and get a hot meal.”

The Mary Randall Center, also in Elkton, provides showers, breakfast and an address for the homeless, Charlton explained.

The Paris Foundation has volunteers who help with the organization’s mission on a regular basis, but they could always use more volunteers and more assistance. Many of the groups that help out volunteer to do the same day each month.

“We currently have three days a month open,” Charlton said. “Sometimes I have to make a lot of hot dogs and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

The Paris Foundation operates 7 days a week. Charlton does Monday through Friday, Pastor Brandon does Saturday and Imperatrice does Sunday.

Charlton said that he has a heart for those who are less fortunate. Charlton readily admits he had an addiction problem.

“I was a sinner saved by grace,” he said. “My life has given me a unique qualifications to help others. The homeless have a lot of stories, some have mental health problems, addictions, or just bad luck. We don’t ask why. We just serve them. If they are homeless, we find them shelter. We went into the park. You have to meet them where they are and show them that you care. You care for people with prayer and by sharing. I tell people that we are the church. I have been doing this for 15 years. I started as a volunteer and I’ve been of the staff for 8 years. It is also important to know the difference between empathy and sympathy.”

Charlton added, “This is a very important part of my life. It absolutely is rewarding, but sometimes it is frustrating. The frustrating part is when some folks we have seen for 7 or 8 years are still stuck in the same rut. We continue to tell them that we care because we do. We continue to try to help. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day for them. It is rewarding when you see those that have made a change in their life and are married and have a home of their own.” 

The Paris Foundation was on Bridge Street a number of years but they were flooded out of that building a number of times. It didn’t make sense to pay rent on a building they couldn’t use. 

“We may be slow, but we’re not stupid,” Charlton said. “We are currently located in Hollingsworth Manor. A lot of our guests come from there, so we thought that would be an appropriate site.”

Charlton explained that they are currently located in a trailer, but they are raising funds through their ongoing building project.

“We are 50 percent through the project,” he said. “The building we are in now functions as a community center. The community has a lot of issues and needs a lot of help. Being in the middle of that is where we should be. We go where the Lord tells us to go.”

Most of the homes in Hollingsworth Manor were built in World War II. The homes were built for people who worked in the nearby munitions factories that helped with the United States’ war operations.

“We serve meals 7 nights a week. We can always use donations for our guests,” Charlton said. “We offer toiletries like shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, and also clothing. We need men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. We always need socks and shoes for everyone. Because people are out in the elements, they go through clothing quickly.”

Charlton also said the Mary Randall Center, located on North Street in Elkton, also helps the homeless. 

He explained, “We network with other private and governmental organizations. We try hard not to duplicate what we do. If someone asks for something, we know where to refer them too, like Voices of Hope will deal with addictions. We are there for support.”

The Paris Foundation is led by Mike Brandon, the executive director, Kyle Charlton, the director of operations, and Bob Imperatrice, the board president. You can write to them at P.O. Box 812, Elkton, MD 21922 or, for more information, visit theparisfoundation.org.