A young mother in a threadbare jacket holds the hand of her shivering little boy, who wears a too-small sweater and ragged pants. The soles of his shoes flop with each step he takes. They cross the street and enter the Cheney Clothing Exchange.

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Twenty minutes later a mother and son cross the same street. The little boy, wearing warm boots and mittens and zipped into a fleece lined snowsuit, skips and smiles. His mother, now tucking her gloved hands into the pockets of a warm quilted coat, hums a tune as they walk toward home.

Because of the volunteers who work at Cheney Clothing Exchange th...