NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — There is uncertainty surrounding the future of American Legion Post 37, and the century-old post hopes the community can help them continue operating.

Recently, Commander Alonzo Scott said Post 37 has been experiencing tough times. He explained that membership is down to 20%, which means they’re not bringing in enough money with dues. He also added that the cost of rent is going up in the building they are in.  

He said they only have $4,000 in their account and he worries this won’t be enough to keep them open until the end of the year.   

“It’s so concerning because I do not want to see the services that we offer the community and the veterans in this large military area to go away,” Scott said.  

Scott said that Post 37 is one of the oldest in the nation and has provided significant help to veterans in the region, such as educational and medical benefits totaling more than $100,000 per month.

Thursday, members partnered with Operation Blessing to prepare for their upcoming food pantry Saturday by organizing through food donations.

“We usually give out about 4,000 pounds of food,” Scott said. “Not only do we open this up to our active duty, our veterans, their families, but we also open it up to the community at large. We ask no questions. As far as you know, they can just come if they need food.”  

However, Scott explained that this is just one way they try to help residents in the area. 

“What we do is we are the ones who help veterans, active duty, their dependents and the community with any type of services, community service or veterans benefits that they need help with,” Scott said. “We like to look at our post as a community resource center.”

Now, they’re hoping for a helping hand so they can continue to serve the area for years to come.

They’re looking to find a new building to relocate to that would be better suited for their needs, both physically and financially. He said that between the stairs and lack of space, they’re aiming to give the historic organization a fresh start somewhere new.   

They said they would appreciate it “if there’s anyone in the community or any businesses or at large that would be able to assist us financially, if they have a building, a ground-level building, that we are in dire need for, if they would be able to support us, you know, and come out and help us, and help us to keep this operation that we have here in this community,” Scott said. “We are a pillar and we’re trying to help service our active duty and our veterans. And you know, for us, and I know for me personally, we can’t give up, you know. Not existing or leaving, that’s not a word that I want to address.” 

If you would like to learn more about donating to Post 37, you can visit their website here. The food pantry event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Post 37’s location at 5201 Kennebeck Ave., 2nd Fl. in Norfolk.