They just want to give away free turkeys to needy families. But a pair of charitable groups say that National Park Service red tape may keep them from distributing the 1,000 birds I and fixings, as planned, on Saturday at Anacostia Park in Southeast

The Park Service is demanding that the two groups -- Beauty From Ashes and Regeneration Development Group -- pay a $10,000 damage deposit and overtime pay for a National Park Police officer for the three- to four-hour event.

"They're gonna charge us $10,000 to give away food," said the Rev. George Blair, co-executive director of Regeneration Development Group with his wife, Elaine. "That's ludicrous."

Beauty From Ashes and Regeneration Development Group may not be able to hold their "Acts of Thanksgiving" community outreach program if they do not come up with the money.

The Regeneration Development Group, based in Capitol Heights, is a nonprofit community outreach program and food pantry. Beauty From Ashes, based in Springfield is also nonprofit and its eventual aim is to open a home for sexually abused children.

To participate in their "Acts of Thanksgiving" event, recipients must perform a benevolent act for some nonrelated individual or group in their community, and sign a paper verifying their act.

"This is not a handout," said Mrs. Blair.

Anacostia Park is a federal park, so the two organizations obtained a permit from the National Park Service. They also paid for a liability insurance policy. They also agreed to pay overtime to a National Park Police officer at $40 hourly.

But the $10,000 bond required by the National Park Service poses a serious stumbling block.

"They said they're going to bring tractor-trailers in," said Fred Cunningham, acting superintendent of the National Capital Parks East, the park service division that oversees parkland in Anacostia. "To get to Anacostia Park [they will have] to go under the Sousa Bridge. We've had tractor-trailers that have done damage to the bridge."

Doris Stilwell, co-executive director of Beauty From Ashes with her husband, the Rev. Harlan Stilwell, said she does not believe a $10,000 damage deposit is justified. She said she thinks the action may be racially motivated because most of the people attending the event will be low income minorities.

Mr. Cunningham denied the park service has racial motives.

Mr. Cunningham said the park service can, and often does, ask for a damage bond, which must be paid by money order or certified check.

But for Mrs. Stilwell, the park service will allow a $10,000 line of credit. She said she may use her house as collateral so they can hold their event.

Mrs. Stilwell is the driving force behind the "Acts of Thanksgiving" project. She developed the idea several months ago and joined with their longtime friends, the Blairs, to make it a reality.

"I felt really led to give away 1,000 Thanksgiving baskets," she said. "I decided this is where my heart is."

She said she wanted to tell the neediest people in the city and she wanted it to be multiracial in the volunteer effort and in those who are helped.

"I truly think it's time churches got together and didn't judge by outward appearance," said Mrs. Stilwell.

"You're trying to help people and they put requirements on you that are so extreme," said Mr. Stilwell, who is also helping with the project.

Photos by J.M. Eddins Jr The Washington Times

Photo Caption: "The baskets are full and ready for distribution if "Acts of Thanksgiving" posts a $10,000 damage bond."