Linda Chandor

I was raised in Redwood City, CA ( on the SF peninsula, halfway between San Francisco and San Jose). The climate, flora and fauna closely resemble what we have here on the Central Coast.
I began working for a veterinarian after high school as a receptionist and animal health technician. This sparked my interest in medicine and science. I was going to college at the same time and graduated from San Jose State University with a BS in Microbiology.
I moved to San Diego after college and completed my Clinical Laboratory Scientist training at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. I continued to work in the laboratory as a generalist, analyzing blood and body fluids to help diagnose and treat diseases. I taught new laboratory interns and phlebotomists. Scripps Memorial was a community hospital with a Level I trauma service. There was never a dull day!
In April 1993, my husband’s job was transferred to Tucson, AZ. We moved in the heat of August! After a few weeks, I started working at University Medical Center. At that time the University of Arizona had a single medical school and UMC was the main teaching hospital. It has a Level I trauma center, organ and bone marrow transplant center, a neonatal intensive care unit, cancer treatment center and an active cardio thoracic surgery program. I specialized in Transfusion Medicine and experienced a steep learning curve.
I began doing volunteer work when our sons started school. I volunteered one day a week in the classroom until they went to middle school. I then volunteered in the school libraries and health office. As I planned my retirement, I decided to focus on adult education and literacy. I tutored math at Literacy Connects and GED preparation at Gospel Rescue Mission’s Women’s Recovery Center.
My husband and I visited the Central Coast for many years. We moved to Templeton in August 2017.
I started volunteering at ALF Food Pantry in the spring of 2018. When I started in Food Distribution we would shop from the client’s individual list. I was asked to help with intake as we transitioned to computers. I then split my time between intake and distribution. When we started using Food Bank Manager software I offered to help with training and statistics. I joined the board in January 2024.