New London — An organic dinner to raise money for the New London Community Meal Center in honor of Milton Lewis Cook Jr. is scheduled for Thursday.

The “Food is Medicine” event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Blaustein Humanities Center Dining Hall at Connecticut College.

Cook died last year at 75. He was a community leader and NAACP chapter president and was involved with organizations like the Homeless Hospitality Center and the New London Community Meal Center, where he was president of the board of directors.

There is no charge for the dinner, which also will feature a talk by Dr. David Schwindt, but those in attendance are asked to make a donation online or at the event. All proceeds benefit the New London Community Meal Center.

Buffet menu choices include gluten-free chicken breast with wild mushroom and marsala wine sauce; gluten-free curry chicken and vegetables on brown rice; gluten-free rolled flank steak stuffed with mushrooms, onions and spinach; pasta with a vegetarian tofu sauce and a salad course and dessert.

Event sponsors are Fiddleheads Food Coop, NAACP of New London, Mangetout Organic Cafe, Four Mile River Farm, Conn College, Give Back Initiative, 1st Venture Partners, Partners In Healthy Communities and the New London Lions.

Please RSVP at http://foodismedicine2013.eventbrite.com/#.