LACONA, OSWEGO COUNTY -- ‘Tis the season for giving, as the saying goes. For the Taplin family of the North Country Christian Church of Lacona, giving is the order of the day... everyday.
The North Country Church, located in Oswego County, is in the heart of one of Central New York’s hardest hit poverty areas and they are the only soup kitchen along the Route 81 corridor between Syracuse and Watertown.
The mission of the soup kitchen, according to Pastor Francis Taplin, “is to feed the hungry.” Having served more than 23,000 meals since its inception in 2004, the kitchen sees more people under the age of 18 during the summer because they have no where else to go to get meals during the day.
But this year, as the Taplins look to use their facilities to help more and more families, they face increased turmoil. The North Country Christian Church is faced with being closed down because the facility needs for a new roof. Throughout the building, the roof is stained brown due to water damage. In some areas of the roof, like the section in the sanctuary, the damage is so terrible that the roof is sagging and discolored brown and pink from the mold that is growing through the tiles that make up the ceiling. Estimates for the costs of the new roof average about $28,000.
Because the church and soup kitchen are run completely through voluntary donations, the Taplin’s are filled with angst trying to figure out what to do to raise the money they need to fix the roof. They are hoping for donations from individuals and corporations so their little vessel of hope is not taken from the people of Lacona and Sandy Creek. Pastor Taplin leaves us with lasting words,” We just ask that people look into their hearts…”
If you would like to make a donation to the church you can send it to:
North Country Christian Church
P.O. Box 142
Lacona, NY 13083
Or, call the church at 315-387-2090.
