The scents of simmering tomato sauce and baked bread fill the kitchen of the Italian American Sport Club in Gates. It's the last Thursday of the month, which means more than 200 people will fill the club's halls for its biweekly luncheon, many eager to meet up with friends over delicious Italian food.

The club, founded by new immigrants who were soccer fans, has grown from its humble roots almost 60 years ago to a large community gathering spot, with popular lunches and dinners at its 6,000-square-foot banquet hall, soccer games and picnics. It recently built a 400-square-foot addition and remodeled the interior thanks to a $425,000 donation from the Frank DiMino Foundation.

"We came together because of soccer, but now we're here for the community," said Fino Pavone, chairman of the Italian American Sport Club.