APPLE VALLEY — Good Samaritan Seth Burrell said his family were in joyous shock when Del Taco officials decided to help them “pay if forward” as the family prepares to feed the homeless on Christmas Day.

Burrell said Del Taco officials gave his family $100 in restaurant gift cards after the Irvine-based company read the Daily Press’ story “Pay it Forward,” which detailed how a total stranger paid for Christmas toys at the Apple Valley Wal-Mart when the Burrells came up short.

During the exchange at Wal-Mart earlier this month, the stranger told Burrell to continue being humble and to “pay it forward” because, "You never know when you might need it again."

“Jackie Lytle (field marketing manager) at Del Taco headquarters told me the company wanted to help us feed the homeless on Christmas Day,” Burrell, 29, said. “I was totally speechless and in shock after I spoke to her and she said they were going to give us $100 in gift cards.”

Every Christmas Day, for the last nine years, the Burrell family have distributed Del Taco food and personal items to the homeless through the High Desert, the Daily Press reported.

Burrell said his wife, Sandy, didn’t believe him when he delivered the "Del Taco good news," adding his entire family went into “wow mode” once the truth sunk in.

According to Burrell, his 8-year-old daughter, Marissa, was “beyond excited” to find out that the family will be armed with $100 worth of Del Taco to “feed hungry bellies” this weekend.

“You know Marissa, she was so excited,”Burrell said. “My other kids were excited, but they also said, ‘Let’s get a milkshake.’”

Burrell said Christmas Day plans for his family include enjoying Christmas dinner, visiting family members throughout the High Desert and handing out the gift cards and warm clothing to the homeless in Apple Valley and Victorville.

“It says a lot when a big restaurant chain reaches out to a family that wants to help others,” Burrell said. “We want to thank Jackie and her colleagues at Del Taco, and we want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”

Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa Cruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.