Armed Forces Service Center at MSP Airport

Mission

To Serve Those Who Serve. The AFSC has provided food and shelter for over 1 million service members since 1970.

Programs

WEB SITE: www.mnafsc.org

The Armed Forces Services Center (AFSC) was founded on November 22, 1970, by Maggie Purdum, after her son died in Vietnam. To date, the Center has provided free food, shelter and services for over 1 million traveling military.

UNIQUE TO MINNESOTA - The AFSC is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit facility. It is supported by contributions (financial and in-kind product donation) from various veterans’ organizations, corporate and personal contributors. The AFSC has no affiliation with nor receives funds from our respected counterparts at the USO. 

OPEN 365 Days A Year - The AFSC offers current traveling members of the US Armed Forces -- Active-Duty, National Guard, Reservists, their dependents, DoD/PHS, Retirees, former PoW’s, Medal of Honor & Purple Heart Recipients, a nice lounge, dining room, playroom, three TV’s, business center, CAC reader, iPads, free Wi-Fi, copier machine, three bathrooms, a shower and toiletries. Plus, complementary snacks and beverages. The men's bunk room sleeps 30 and the women's bunk room sleeps 10, with cribs in both. Rooms temporarily unavailable.   

AWARDS – In 2012, the AFSC was awarded the first "Joining Forces Community Challenge" at the White House. The award recognized years of service to military personnel and their dependents. Only five nonprofits were selected out of 300 nationwide. 

VOLUNTEERS – The AFSC currently has approximately 130 dedicated volunteers that help keep the doors open.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

• Fallen Service Members (KIA or Stateside) - The AFSC works with all branches of the local military to assist families of fallen service members enroute to Dover, a military installation or returning home to Minnesota. The Center coordinates an offsite staging area with the military, airport police and airlines to provide families with privacy as they await the arrival of the fallen. 

• Staging - As requested 

• Wounded Troops - The AFSC coordinates with the VA Hospital and the TSA severely wounded program to provide respite or escorts for the military as a transit through the MSP.

• Meet & Greets - The AFSC "troop greeter" program was established in 2006, after receiving a satellite call from a Marine officer in Iraq, requesting assistance for 350 combat troops returning home to Hawaii. To date, the AFSC "troop greeters," have rolled out mobile canteens at all hours to welcome combat troops and assist deployments and training troops. We have also served as the airport host for the Twin Cities Honor Flight since 2008.

CONTACT: Executive Director | Armed Forces Service Center | 4300 Glumack Drive LT A-2021 | St. Paul, MN 55111. Office:612.726.9156 | Fax: 612.726.9232 | Email: Contact@mnafsc.org | mnafsc.org

The AFSC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization governed by a Board of Directors and registered with the Minnesota Attorney General. The federal ID number is 41-0966145.