The Northlands Rescue Mission in Grand Forks is appealing for more donations as its three-month fundraising campaign comes to an end.
The "Mission of Hope" campaign goal is to raise $600,000 by the end of the year, about half of the mission's annual income. The target is $200,000 higher than last year because of an increase in the overall budget for 2012.
But officials announced Tuesday that donations to the annual fund drive have totaled just $310,000 -- nearly $300,000 below the target with just three weeks left.
"Our concern is not for reaching the goal itself, but for what those funds allow us to do on behalf of the men and women who are homeless and our neighbors who are hungry," Executive Director David Sena said in a written statement.
Sena said the Northlands Rescue Mission provides more than 40,000 nights of lodging each year to homeless men and women. The mission also serves nearly 100,000 meals to residents of its shelters, hungry members of the community and K-12 students who do not have enough to meet during the summer.
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About 80 percent of its income comes from donations from area residents, churches and businesses.
To make a donation or learn more about the mission's programs and services, visit www.NorthlandsRescueMission.org .
