The Salvation Army is praying for someone to help them recover from a cruel hoax.

Just days before Christmas, the charity received a bad check for $25,000 from a company in Charleston, S.C.

"We thought we were going to have a very good year," Capt. David Phelps, director of the Sumter Salvation Army, told Sumter, South Carolina's The Item.

The Salvation Army deposited the check and purchased toys and food for people in need.

Later, they received a call from the bank saying the check was no good, and that the check was from an account that was stolen and closed months ago. Now the charity may be forced to cut back on winter aid for the needy.

"It's a matter of counting on that so we would have a cushion," said Kiki Cooper, the director of development for the local chapter.

The organization says it doesn't know how it's going to make up for the $25,000 loss.

*Originally published January 7, 2010