Kind moment man takes off his snow boots to give them to a homeless stranger

An act of kindness by a good Samaritan is warming the hearts of people around the world.

A Chicago train passenger gave a homeless man the shoes off his own feet after seeing the man's feet were bleeding through his socks.

The homeless man took off his old tattered tennis shoes and put on the warmer, heavy duty boots he was given by the stranger, ABC 7 Chicago reported.

Maurice Anderson took off his brand new US$250 ($356) snow boots and gave to the homeless man.

Anderson was on his way from the airport to his daughter's house on the South Side when his quick act of kindness caught the eye of another passenger, he told ABC 7 Chicago.

"This is not what you see on the train every day, it was amazing," witness Jessica Bell told the local news station.

A homeless man puts on snow boots given to him by a fellow passenger on a Chicago train. Photo / Jessica Bell, Facebook

Bell photographed the exchange and shared it on social media and now it's gone viral.

"I looked down and his shoes were off, one of his socks was bleeding through," Anderson said.

Speaking to ABC 7 Chicago from Kentucky, Anderson said the homeless man told him his feet may have been frostbitten.

"I asked him what size shoe did he wear. He was like, a 12. I myself was a 12, so I said here you go," Anderson said.

Without hesitation, he handed the boots over to the homeless man along with a pair of socks.

"I think that's what really resonated with me," Bell said. "It was a really selfless and quiet act, no fanfare. It just happened."

Bell decided to share the story on Facebook because "during a time when hate and apathy are rampant, quiet compassion appears without warning."

Anderson, who had an extra pair of shoes in a suitcase, said he would rather help then judge people in need.

"He's already in distress, he's out in the cold, riding the train," Anderson said. "If I'm not reaching out to help someone, I can't say anything."

Anderson and Bell said the homeless man was in shock over the kind gesture and very much appreciative.