Jody Valet

We’re back on the road across the United States, exploring Italian American traces, stories, and people in each of the 50 states. Today we stop in Kansas City, home to a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating its Italian roots.

The Italians in Kansas City organized mutual benefit societies (società di mutuo soccorso) modeled after those in Italy. These societies raised money to benefit Italians in Kansas City and even Italy when tragedy arose. Some societies were social clubs for Italian hometowns, while others were intellectual or spiritual. In addition to raising money, these societies provided a death benefit to members to help with funeral expenses, attended community events, marched in...

The St. Joseph’s Table is a centuries-old Sicilian tradition celebrated on March 19th, the feast day of St. Joseph. Sicilian immigrants...