Here at The Weekly Volcano headquarters, we get a lot of emails about events, benefits and community happenings. While scrolling through the masses of suggestions, this Halloween feel-good story about a haunted house to help the hungry, stuck out.

Assigned to the task, I called Tacoma resident Lillian Khan about her haunted house. Together with twin sister Promise Khan and their good friend, Stefani Nichols, their haunted house, in its 11^th year, is open to the public, free of charge. 

Two years ago, Lillian decided to turn the endeavor into a food drive for her neighborhood food bank, Eloise Cooking Pot Food Bank on McKinley Hill, because she would walk her dogs by the building and would see vandalism after vandalism occur at the bank.

"It was heart-wrenching to see," Lillian said. "And it's that time of year when people need extra food - this is about neighbors helping neighbors."

Lillian dropped off last year's grocery bags full of food anonymously to the food bank, and when I called Eloise's president, Ahndrea Blue, to let her know of the event, she was clearly moved.

"I'm in tears," Blue said. "I'm always moved by the people of East McKinley. Words will never express my gratitude that she thought enough of her local food bank."

Blue said the Eloise Cooking Pot Food Bank (named after her grandmother) feeds almost 2,000 people weekly, which can be a struggle. Blue said she feels like God sends something or somebody just about every quarter to keep their spirits up.

"I just want to give her a big hug," Blue said of Lillian.

While a big part of Lillian, Promise and Nichols' motivation is helping out the community, there is a definite interest in the spirit of the holiday.

"We're just some gals who like to scare the heck out of kids," Lillian said with a friendly laugh.

The ladies have a combined history and interest in set production and lighting, and Lillian has written, produced and directed for the Tacoma Film Festival.

The haunted house will feature six different themed rooms like a spider web and chain hanging room, a strobe and black light room and a mad-scientist operating room.

"People scream every time," Lillian said.

Open on Halloween night only, from 5 to 10 p.m. or later, the haunted house is located at 3599 E F St., Tacoma. Lilian is asking visitors to bring one non-perishable food item to donate before they go through the house.