FARMINGTON, Minn. — There is a heartwarming surprise hiding behind one of the largest and longest-running home Halloween displays in Farmington.
Jon Brimacomb, who has spent more than 30 years collecting — and building — a collection of coffins, skeletons, ghouls and Halloween inflatables that pushes the boundaries of his own yard.
For the last 20 years, he's also leaned into his love of Halloween to scare up donations for the Farmington Food Shelf.
"I start setting it up right at the end of September and I actually start collecting food on October 1st," Brimacomb said. "The first year we thought we were such great people. We had 50 cans."
Two decades later, Brimacomb's home at 18657 Euclid Path is a highlight of Farmington's annual Holiday Havoc Tour, regularly attracting a parade of cars — and donations — throughout October.
"I think we've already taken in well over 500 pounds of food so far this month," he said, pointing to a growing collection of canned and dry goods already filling part of his basement a week before Halloween night. "That shows just how much the community really appreciates other people."
Brimacomb says all credit for the annual tradition goes to his late wife, Suzie, who encouraged him to try asking for food donations in 2003, shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer for the first time.
"She had five different cancers, eight different times, over 18 years," Brimacomb said. "The food drive actually did two things for us. It let us look beyond cancer and help other people. That was important to both of us."
Before she died in 2020, he says Suzie always found a way to celebrate Halloween despite countless rounds of treatment and surgeries.
"She loved to see the kids come up with a smile on their face," he said. "I think it actually gave her extra energy."
Brimacomb says his kids and grandkids help him carry on the tradition in honor of Suzie, and they're hoping to celebrate a new record on Year 20.
"This year we're keeping our fingers crossed that maybe we'll hit a thousand pounds of food," he said. "That would make my heart warm."
If you're interested in making a food donation to the Halloween display, Brimacomb says drop boxes are available outside his home at 18657 Euclid Path and he prefers that they happen prior to Halloween night.
The Farmington Food Shelf accepts the following donations:
- Personal Care and Hygiene: Includes items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant.
- Grains and Cereals: Includes items such as packaged rice, oatmeal, popcorn, crackers, breakfast cereals.
- Canned Fruits and Vegetables: Any canned, non-perishable fruits or vegetables.
- Canned Meals: Any canned, non-perishable meals or meats.
- Dinner Sides and Helper Meals: Includes items such as mashed potato boxes, hamburger helper, boxed muffin mixes.
- Baking Items: Includes items such as sugar, flour, oil, baking powder.
- Condiments: Includes items such as ketchup, salsa, mustard, barbecue sauces.
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Anything fresh
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