The Bridgeport Rescue Mission celebrates its 25th anniversary with a block party.

The event was held in Washington Park on the city's East Side, where the charity was first located. 

It featured music, vendors and free food. 

The Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides emergency shelters to those in need.

It also offers a food pantry, mobile kitchen, and on-site meals in their shelters.

Terry Wilcox, the head of the group, says it's come a long way since it operated out of the back of a station wagon.

Today we have five properties in Bridgeport, a staff of 46 people and a budget of $4 million, so we have good reason to celebrate," said Wilcox.