Hillsborough Grad Is Helping Homeless By Selling Phone Cases

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Michael Panchery of Hillsborough is launching his homeless project again with a larger goal and greater importance given the economic situation of many due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"2020 has been a really rough year, especially financially for a lot of people," Panchery said. "I am doing my best to help the community in anyway I can."

Panchery began designing and selling cell phone cases last year as a Hillsborough High School graduate. He sold 23 cases. Panchery used the profits from the sales to create 48 homeless care packages which include hats, gloves, socks, and hygiene kits for those in need.

Now as a freshman at Rutgers University, Panchery is launching his homeless project again with a goal to create more than 100 homeless care packages for those in New Brunswick.

Panchery has about 20 student volunteers to assist him in selling the cases and assembling the packages.

This year, Panchery came up with new designs for the season.

"This year I made cases with more like an ugly sweaters theme and went with a general winter theme," Panchery said. "I feel like more people would appreciate that."

He is selling the cases online through Nov. 27.

To purchase a cell phone case and support Panchery's cause visit communitycasesproject.com.

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