MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The economic recession continues to make a dent in donations in the Salvation Army’s Northern Division, covering Minnesota and North Dakota.

Spokeswoman Annette Bauer says mailed donations are still being counted, but overall the division has collected $15.5 million — $2 million short of its goal.

Bauer says for the region’s smaller cities, the seasonal fund raising accounts for about 70 percent of their budgets. She says Fargo, N.D., has a goal of $890,000, but is about $100,000 short. Rochester set a $1 million goal and has raised $820,000. The Twin Cities is about $700,000 below its goal of $9.8 million.

Bauer says there are bright spots however. Brainerd, Austin, Cloquet, Fairmont, Willmar and Willison, N.D., have met, or are near their goals. Fergus Falls exceeded its kettle donation goal after an anonymous donor gave $10,000.

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