Growing up in Iowa on a large farm we had the Chicago Great Western  railway go thru our property.  I am talking about the 50"s, 60's, 70's.  Hobos rode the empty cars on a daily basis.  When they were near a farm, they would hop off, come up to the farm house and politely ask for any leftover food.  On a farm, there is always plenty of food.  My Mother would give them fresh baked bread and butter, we had our own dairy and butter churn etc., , soup, milk, left over  cooked beef roast, pork, chicken etc.   Back then, the hobos were respectable.  They never stole, or committed any crimes  and usually after receiving food, they would ask if there was any work they could do in appreciation of the food they received.  We would usually have them move some hay bales, feed the chickens, (200), muck out a stall or two.  Then, they would hop the train, and be gone.  We might see them again in 5-6 months, but there were always new ones.  Now a days, they are called "TRAVELERS". (cont.)