The organization has lodges throughout many parts of the world. The American affiliation was founded in New York City in 1905. The Nebraska State Lodge, located at 1238 S. 10th Street in Omaha, was established in 1929.

The original objective of the Sons of Italy was to provide aid and comfort to immigrants of Italian ancestry who chose to make America their home during the turn of the century when vast numbers flocked over in response to America's encouraging Europeans to settle here. Those receptive to the invitation were often families with little wealth and few possessions. Coming as they did to a foreign country and having to grope with a strange language, they required an abundance of emotional cooperation as well as material assistance. And, this is where the Sons of Italy stepped in.

Efforts were made to obtain jobs, housing and whatever was necessary to assure the newcomers assimilation into American society. As the years progressed and immigration tapered off, the Sons of Italy directed their efforts to aiding individual needy persons and a wide range of worthy causes. The funding for these charitable deeds comes mainly from the proceeds of a weekly spaghetti dinner, held on Thursdays at the Sons of Italy Hall.

The cost for the dinner is $5 (1998), and, on any given Thursday, the patron count will run anywhere from 500 to 1200+. The door is opened at 10:30 a.m. and dinners are served until 2 p.m. Our military could learn some angles on how the Sons of Italy accommodate this mass feeding in so brief a period of time.

A large percentage of the profits are donated to a variety of needy groups or established charities and many meals are provided without charge. Free meals are made available to guests from Bishop Bergan Day Care, Lutheran Home, Social Settlement Association, homeless youngsters, and to anyone without funds in need of a meal.

An annual golf tournament is staged by our Colombo Lodge with the proceeds going to aid those with Cooley's Anemia, a disease that is prevalent with people who stem from the Mediterranean area, which, of course, includes many of Italian descent.

Assistance extends beyond aiding recognized charitable groups. If a person is known who cannot pay a utility bill the lodge will pick up the tab. In one instance a handicapped woman was provided with a stair-riser (elevator) in her home.

One needn't be Italian to join the Sons of Italy. If an individual is Italian by birth or has a spouse who is Italian by birth, this individual is entitled to 'Regular' membership which includes voting on any issue brought up at a meeting. Other persons having a desire to join the Sons of Italy are brought in as 'Social' members -- these members participate in all functions but do not vote on issues brought up at meetings.

The Sons of Italy have a complete liquor bar serving beer, wine, and spirits. Being a non-profit organization, the licanse does not permit sale of off-premise merchandise.

How can an organization part with so much of its profits and remain afloat? The late Joe "Butch" Turco, who managed the 'hall' for many years preceding his death, said it was fairly easy. "For beginners, there are no paid employees. The help consists of volunteer elderly retirees, many of whom grew up in the approximate neighborhood of the lodge. A minimal amount of expense is paid to a few workers from Omaha's Open Door Mission and the Anthony House who aid in lifting heavy items and perform the more difficult manual work. In turn, whatever food remains after each Thursdays meal in contributed to the residents of those hospices. The women's auxiliary lodge members are also a highly important facet of our food operation. Several women come in on Tuesday to help prepare meatballs or sausage for the Thursday meals. These women also contribute canned goods at each of their meetings which are distributed to the poor." Also, many of the women work beside their brother members during the Thursday dinners.

While our hall only serves the pasta dinners on Thursdays the lodge, nevertheless, is open to members Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., (Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.). They are closed on Mondays. Additionally, on Friday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., sandwiches and pasta are served to the public. Members may meet for business discussions or to visit and play cards. The hall is available for private affairs, and, if desired, a special menu for those occasions other than our traditional pasta dinners.

In 1954, following a major remodeling job which increased the lodge seating capacity, heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano came to Omaha to cut the ribbon at the opening day ceremony.

Peak meal totals will often hit 1200+ with the heavier attendance usually preceding a political election. Politicians are allowed to greet diners but only on the outside of the hall. Too much commotion results when they come inside and circulate among the tables. The hall motto regarding this is "People come here to eat, not to listen to political speeches!".