MUSCATINE, Iowa — One hair-raising haunted house is scaring for a good cause this Halloween.
For the past two decades, Troy "Stinky" Phillpot has turned his home in Muscatine into a haunted house; Stinky's House of Horrors. It takes him and his friends close to two months to put it all together, building each of the rooms in his house, garage or yard themselves.
Around 20 volunteers fill the haunted house as clowns, witches and a nightmarish Santa Claus.
The cost of admission is a non-perishable food item.
It wasn't until 11 years ago, however, that the haunted house started collecting food. Phillpott was involved with Freezin' for Food and wanted to do something similar with the haunted house.
"The first time we did a food drive, we had like two totes full of food and we were taking pictures with it like it was the coolest thing ever," Phillpott said.
All the food gets donated to Muscatine's Salvation Army.
It's only open on Halloween night. People start lining up before dark, stretching all the way down the block.
"I think it's amazing how much food he brings to those that are in need and the community that turns out for it, it's truly a great situation," said Matt Miller who was waiting in line with his two kids.
Last year, Stinky's donated just under 6,000 pounds. Phillpott was hoping to break 6,000 pounds this year.
"When we deliver it, that's when you really see the effects of it," he said. "it really starts getting you choked up a little bit because you really see the difference you're making."
Since starting the canned food drive 11 years ago, Stinky's House of Horrors has donated over 50,000 pounds of food to Muscatine's Salvation Army.
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