Artist hands out free booze to homeless

By: Dave Balut

St. Pete Beach, Florida - Evander Preston is an eccentric artist who has all sorts of unusual things in his gallery in Pass-A-Grille.

His latest contribution to charity is also unique.

Once a month for the past year, Preston has been handing out bottles of Kentucky bourbon and cigars to the homeless at Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg.

Preston says he's giving the homeless what they really want.

"The gratitude is overwhelming, it really is. I get a lot of hugs," said Preston.

Robert Donohue is one of the homeless who appreciates Preston's generosity.

"I give him ten fingers up, y'know what I mean, keep on doing what you're doing," said Donohue.

But a city councilmember is appalled by Preston's charitable donations.

"To go out and say, 'Here you go, tie one on me,' no, that got my goat," said Council member Bill Foster

Foster says Preston is violating a city ordinance by dispensing alcohol in a park. The artist could be fined or face time in jail.

"A lot of them are in that situation because of the alcohol and to feed that habit and to feed that problem, it's disgraceful," said Foster.

Preston says he didn't know he's violating a city ordinance, but he's still planning to hand out a batch of booze, along with shrimp cocktail, close to Christmas Day.

Council member Foster says he wants to expand the city ordinance to prohibit dispensing alcohol on any city right of way without a permit.

The city council is scheduled to discuss the issue Thursday.