Asheville Salt Cave
Stockings of Love collects items including warm gloves and socks, lip balm, hand lotion and other personal care products, then packages them in holiday stockings for distribution through women’s shelters across the region. After providing 115 stockings to women at six shelters in 2025, the organization hopes to double its reach this year, delivering about 230 stockings through existing and new shelter partnerships.
Asheville Salt Cave & Spa will serve as one of the initiative’s local collection sites this November.
“At its core, filling a stocking is a mindful, personal act of solidarity,” says Gemma Dalton, creative director at Asheville Salt Cave & Spa. “Supporting women without stable shelter simply extends that sanctuary spirit outward beyond our physical walls. Nurturing both the physical and emotional warmth of houseless women honors our core belief that holistic health, safety and care belong to everyone across every stage and circumstance of life.”
Sadie Ray with Stockings of Love says the project focuses specifically on women experiencing homelessness, a population she believes can sometimes be overlooked during seasonal giving campaigns.
“There is something so special to me, as a woman, to be able to offer a small gesture of kindness to help another woman feel cared for during the holidays—especially one who may be going through a tough time right now,” Ray says.
Donors can contribute by purchasing items from the Stockings of Love wishlist, making a monetary donation or dropping off requested items at participating businesses.
“We take great care in assembling the stockings, checking with the shelters to learn about the demographics of the women we’re serving so we can provide culturally appropriate skin and hair care products,” Ray says. “They are such simple things, and yet you know that when you get a thoughtful gift from someone, the sentiment always comes through.”
In addition to Asheville Salt Cave & Spa, collection sites include Period Nirvana on Haywood Road in West Asheville and Elementality on South Tunnel Road.
“Each of these local businesses is such a great fit for Stockings of Love as they are women-run and they strive to care for women, each in their own way,” Ray says. “That was very intentional.”
Asheville Salt Cave & Spa is located at 16 North Liberty Street in Asheville. Learn more at StockingsofLove.org.
