The Baltimore branch of the NAACP, beset with a lingering deficit and lagging corporate donations, appealed yesterday for support in the wake of the turmoil surrounding the ouster of the Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Five days after the NAACP fired Dr. Chavis as its executive director, the local chapter of the civil rights group set out to court donations and new members.

A somber George N. Buntin Jr., executive director of the Baltimore branch, discussed the deficit and called for both financial and volunteer assistance during the mayor's weekly news briefing.

"Through all of the turmoil that has gone on over the last weeks, the NAACP of Baltimore has continued to stand up to make this city a better city for all citizens," he said. "So we're appealing to the Baltimore community . . . to come to [our] support."

The local organization has been struggling to overcome an outstanding $40,000 deficit in its annual $225,000 budget at a time of flagging donations, Mr. Buntin said.