Larry - where there is a will there is a way. You might run into a classmate on the first day that has an open couch for you. As far as the food goes, if you went to every restaurant / diner you saw and offered to work for food I bet you would find someone willing to help you. It might not be the first place you ask, but I have to think that someone out there cares. Then again, I have never done it so I don't know for sure.
In any event, good for you in taking the steps to make it happen rather than just planning and thinking about it.