North Dakota's economy might be making headlines for weathering the national recession so far, but nonprofit charitable organizations around the state are reporting a different story.

While some nonprofit organizations in North Dakota say they are on par to bring in about the same level of donations they made last year at this time, others say they are falling behind, and making matters more complicated, seeing more people come to them for help in light of a tightening economy.

"As I have been talking with individual donors, the topic of the economic environment is definitely part of our conversation," said Leann Wolff, the chief development officer for Lutheran Social Services in North Dakota. "For some it's just a side conversation, for others it does have an impact on how much they're giving this year compared to past years."

In Bismarck, Maj. Lee Morrison of the Salvation Army said he's seen an influx of people - he said about 300 percent increase compared to last year - coming to the organization's office on Washington Street for help.

Among those people are many newcomers to the Salvation Army, Morrison said, adding that his office used to see about 10 to 15 families each week. Since May, that number has jumped to an average of about 10 to 15 families per day.

"In most cases, they're just running short on groceries for three or four days," Morrison said, adding many workers in the service and retail industry who are experiencing reduced shifts are using the service.

He said donations to the Bismarck Salvation Army this year are about what they were last year, but that may not be enough in the long run.

"If I make my goal this year, I will already be behind, based on the 300 percent increase I've seen in the last six months," he said.

Nonprofits around the country are feeling the squeeze, said Tim Delaney, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits.

"On the left hand there is a lot less money coming in and on the right hand there's a skyrocketed demand for services," Delaney said.

Among the causes, of course, are the struggling national economy that has cut back savings accounts and corporate profits, which have put a strain on giving during a time when most Americans give the most - the holidays.

But there are bright spots. Despite some families beginning to cut back on spending, Wolff said others with money are sparing more this holiday season.

"They recognized there will be more people in need because of the economic downturn in the country," Wolff said.

Barb Pates, spokeswoman for Lutheran Social Services, said there's been a 3 percent increase this year in people going to the 230 food banks that the organization donates to around the state.

Pates added the largest increases in people going to food banks are happening in the eastern part of the state - as high as 15 percent. On the other hand, she said people going to food banks for help in the western part have not increased dramatically, and in some cases, even decrease.

Pat Berger, the president and CEO of the Grand Forks area United Way, said donations are down by 2 percent compared to where they were last year.

"We do need help in Grand Forks at this United Way," Berger said, adding the nonprofit took in about $973,000 last year.

This year they were hoping to bring in $1 million, but making last year's total is looking like a challenge right now.

"They're watching their budgets," Berger said, adding the problem isn't less donors, but donors simply giving less.

Kathy Keiser of the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Bismarck said she's seen a decrease in the amount given per donor, but an increase in the number contributions coming in.

"So far we haven't noticed any difference at all," Keiser said. "We're very cautiously optimistic how this season is going to turn out for us."

Berger added that things could turn around as the year comes to close when many people decide to give to charities for tax write-offs.

"We do get a flush of things in at the end of the year," she said.

Stan Stelter, the development director for the Abused Adult Resource Center in Bismarck, said from January through October, donations are down by nearly 15 percent compared to the same time frame last year.

"Like other nonprofits we're hoping that's going to pick up when it gets closer to Christmas," Stelter said, adding people in the region have tended to be generous even when the economy goes sour. "But that remains to be seen."

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@bismarcktribune.com.)