BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — 1,500 pounds of meat was donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Thursday in an effort to make sure protein makes it to the homes of those in need.

With protein being so costly, this donation is coming at exactly the right time.

“Protein is certainly one of the most expensive parts of the meal, and it’s the most difficult for the food banks to get donated,” said Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana Executive Director Julie Grunewald.

“The amount of protein we’re getting in is going to be a massive need for us because right now, fresh protein is our number one needed item and is the hardest thing to get donated right now,” said Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Chief Operation Officer, Seth Hatsfelt.

1500 pounds will only go so far. Mike Tramonte, with Tramonte’s Meat and Seafood Market, said their doors are always open to accepting additional donations.

“Obviously, each family can only eat so much meat, don’t waste the rest of it and bring it to us and let us put it in the hands of people that need it. They can benefit from it,” Tramonte said.