For more than a decade, Cafe Soleil owners George and Nicole Ix have served countless customers from their restaurant in Cesar Chavez Plaza.

The economic downturn proved devastating to Café Soleil and owners George and Nicole Ix. To cope, they dropped their health insurance like many other mom-and-pops. Recently, Nicole was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and is unable to work. The family is struggling to make ends meet.

Now, the cafe's loyal customers are coming to the aid of the business by launching a three-month campaign to give them a boost in business.

Starting June 4, customers will employ several strategies to give Cafe Soleil a sustained cash infusion and help them rebuild their customer base. Customers are being encouraged to make a conscious effort to "go more often" and dine at the cafe with clients, coworkers and friends. They'll also kick off a "Keep the Change" campaign, and plans are underway for a Cash Mob later this summer.

“Café Soleil has been a mainstay of our downtown neighborhood for many years and its owners, Nicole and George, have always put their hearts and souls into making great food and building strong relationships with their customers," said James Main, Cafe Soleil customer. "When we heard about Nicole’s health and financial burdens, we rallied other loyal customers together to help support a business that we have cared about for a long time.”

For the latest news on the efforts to support Cafe Soleil, follow the hashtag #CafeSoleil on Twitter or find them on Facebook.