Members of American Legion Post 37 in Norfolk pass food boxes down a stairway at the side of their building Saturday morning, Oct. 26, 2024, in preparation of their monthly food giveaway to veterans and their families. (Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot)
(Tribune News Service) — Norfolk is home to one of the country’s oldest American Legion posts, but after several rent hikes and moves, it might not make it through the holidays without the community’s help.
“We have existed for many years off dues, private donations and fundraisers, but now we need a real shot in the arm, like a free or low-cost building to rent or a big-ticket raffle item like a car,” said Alonzo Scott, commander of Post 37.
The post has been in operation for more than a century. Since 1920, Post 37 has been helping veterans in Hampton Roads with education resources, medical benefits and VA claims, totaling more than $100,000 of monthly assistance. In addition to veteran benefits, it hosts a food pantry each month for all community members.
The group of about 300 members recently learned their rent would soon double, meaning they will need to move for a third time in five years. Their current space is also on the second floor, making it difficult for some disabled veterans to access their offices.
Caroline Tetschner, a Navy veteran and board member for the post, said the group is down to about $5,000. She said this might get them to December.
“Outside of rent, it costs us about $2,000 (a month to operate). We can cover that,” she said. “It’s the rent that’s killing us. That’s why if somebody with a bunch of real estate wants to help, we have all these tradesmen, and we can make (the space) pretty.
“We did that at Military Circle. We came in, and we have these talented men and women and IKEA furniture, which we got donated, and they put in toilets and faucets and it was just beautiful.”
Families arrived Saturday at the post’s current location at the Knights of Columbus building on Kennebeck Avenue before the food pantry giveaway at 11 a.m. Volunteers quickly gathered boxes of food for each participant, who took home pounds of fresh produce, meat and other products. Anywhere from 50 to 100 families come to the pantry each month, Scott said, and other household necessities such as feminine hygiene products are distributed to whoever needs it, no questions asked.
The American Legion hosts a variety of services for veterans, Tetschner said. From filing a claim with the VA to organizing transportation to medical appointments, there are countless referral services at the post. For some to come for help, she said the request is as simple as a hot meal. Without a big donation from the community, the post will have to close, ending those services.
“We’re in a fleet concentration area,” she said. “This is the home of the largest Navy base, so we have a lot of veterans here. So if you love this community and the resources that we provide, if you support our veterans and military, please help. We have active-duty military members (at the food pantry), helping out on their days off.
“It would be such a shame if we had to close after 100 years.”
Community members who wish to help can contact Post 37 via email at legionpost37va@gmail.com.
Eliza Noe eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
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