Behind the scenes of a Bay Area USPS processing facility during a record holiday season

"SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- It's the busiest holiday season yet at the U.S. Postal Service's processing and distribution center in San Francisco. "We're doing almost 275,000 pieces every day," said Prashant Sharma. One thing helping the postal workers this year is the addition of several new robots. "For the last five years, the postal service has invested in high tech and new state-of-the-art machines. We've got 600 new machines throughout the nation for the postal service - 94 just this year," said Sharma. MORE: US Postal Service temporarily increasing prices for holiday season Despite economic uncertainty, Americans are expected to spend a record $1 trillion this holiday season, with much of that money being spent online."

"If you still have things you want to send out, USPS says that's OK. They tell us to make sure to get them out by the end of next week. Specifically, USPS says those deadlines are the 17 for first class mail, the 18 for priority mail and the 20 for priority express. In addition to regular deliveries, the postal service is also continuing Operation Santa -- a program that helps connect low-income kids writing letters to Santa with those willing to help fulfill their holiday wishes. "You can even skip the trip and order packages on that platform. You can fulfill the gifts on the website making it even more seamless to do a little extra this year," said Kristina Uppal."

""We're ready to spread the holiday cheer. All our employees are so dedicated and they're looking forward to this peak season. And we want to make sure we deliver joy to the entire nation," said Sharma. As of Tuesday, USPS says it's accepted over five billion packages and pieces of mail nationwide since the end of November."

The U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution center in San Francisco is processing almost 275,000 pieces daily during the holiday peak. The Postal Service invested in high-tech equipment, deploying 600 new machines nationwide and 94 this year, and added several new robots to assist workers. Customers are advised to ship by Dec. 17 for First Class, Dec. 18 for Priority, and Dec. 20 for Priority Express. Operation Santa connects low-income children’s letters to donors and allows online fulfillment of gifts. USPS accepted over five billion packages and pieces of mail nationwide since the end of November.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco